Susan A. (Nichols) Hoefener

 Susan Audrey Hoefener, 81, of Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at Oak Tree Villa

in Jefferson City. She was born July 25, 1941, in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Claude and

Mary (Winward) Nichols. As a young girl, her family moved to Tipton MO and she graduated from

Tipton High School in 1959. She was united in marriage May 27, 1961, to Harlan Hall Hoefener in Tipton, MO. They

had enjoyed more than 53 years of marriage when he proceeded her in death on January 11, 2015.

Susan was a good friend to people and animals. She had horses in her younger days. Riding them was

one of her favorite pastimes. Over the years, she had more than 8 cats who were blessed by her loving arms and

words. She even trained many of them to do a trick for a treat. She also was an artist using colored pencils as her

medium. She drew beautiful pictures free hand. Many friends and family members have her pictures in their

homes. As she grew older and had a slight tremor in her hand, she used her talents giving beauty to adult coloring

book pages. Her ability to blend colors to create shadowing and texture brought the pictures to life. The stack of

her completed books is about 3 feet high. Knitting afghans was also another way she gifted people. Siblings as well

as nieces and nephews enjoy this cozy gift. She and husband, Harlan, enjoyed canoeing in their earlier years. They

traveled as far as Arkansas and North Carolina to do so. They were sports fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis

Cardinals, and MU football and basketball teams. They also enjoyed country and rag time music. Susan spent many

hours on the racquetball courts besting her opponents. Susan was an avid reader of books. One could always be

found in her purse, “just in case she had a few minutes” to read it. She worked at Chesebrough-Ponds as payroll

administer, Southridge Baptist Church as church secretary, and the Missouri Beef Counsel. Her and Harlan were

active members of Pilot Grove Baptist Church, Latham MO before moving to Jefferson City where they continue as

active members of South Ridge Baptist Church for many years.

She is survived by two sisters, Ann Brooker of Joplin, MO; and Peggy and Claude Martin of Hermitage,

MO; sister-in-law, Marilyn & Bob Schatzer, Latham; brother-in-law Kenny & Pat Hoefener, Jefferson City;

sister-in-law Patricia & Kevin McGartland, Mexico. She was a wonderful Aunt, Great Aunt & Great-Great

Aunt to many nieces and nephews across the United States.

She was preceded in death by their infant daughter, Rebecca Sue; her husband, Harlan; her parents,

Claude and Mary Nichols, and her stepmother, Helen Nichols, parent-ln-laws Art & Velma Hoefener,

brother-in-law David Hoefener and sister-in law Lois Jean and her husband James Clifford.

Family and Friends will be received on Monday September 12, 2022, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at

Phillips Funeral Home in California, MO with service following at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the

Latham Cemetery, Latham, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Hills Animal Shelter or Jefferson City Animal Shelter, or the

Latham Cemetery C/O Shelbie Schatzer, 65664 Highway F, Latham, MO 65050.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of California, MO.

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