Justine Inez Heifner

Justine Inez Haubold Heifner passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at Lexington Park, just four days shy of her 91st birthday. She was born on October 3, 1931, on her mother's birthday to Franz Joseph Haubold and Grace Inez Johnson Haubold.

She was the middle child between two brothers Joe Jr. and Bernard Keith Haubold. She attended Topeka Schools and graduated from Topeka High. She attended Bob Jones University for one year and then returned to Topeka and worked for the phone company and Hallmark.

She and Bob Heifner, of Moberly, MO planned a summer wedding for 1951 which was postponed due to the 1951 Flood. They later married on August 8, 1952. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Brenda (Charles) Rogers, Leland (Melody Doole) Heifner, and Darrell Heifner. Grandson Charlie Long and Great Granddaughter Danica Butts. She was proceeded in death by her parents, both brothers, her son-in-law R.J. Long and her granddaughter Kelly Grace Long.

Justine accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at a very young age while attending a revival at Seward Avenue Baptist church. Later, she was a charter member of First Southern Baptist Church that started in the Oakland living room of Miss Abbie Haun and Justine's parents, Joe and Grace Haubold.

If Justine and Bob were not at work, they could be found serving others in various ministries of FSBC. Among them were the outreach ministry for US Airmen and their families at Forbes Field in the 1950s & 60s, supporting First Southern's local mission work at Pine Ridge Mission in East Topeka, and leading worship services at the Topeka Rescue Mission in the 1970s & 80s. Justine sang in the church choir and often played the piano for several nursing home church services throughout Topeka. Together they helped start Emmanuel Baptist Church and other NE Kansas FSBC mission churches.

They opened Heifner Nursery at 6th and Fairlawn as a Nursery and then a Garden Center which was open for over 50 years. During those years, they travel internationally, hosting tour groups to visit nursery colleagues/friends and businesses in places including Mexico, Canada, Holland, England, Germany, Russia, Italy, and many other countries. Family vacations were always at points of interest in the US that tied into their family nursery business.

They hosted more than 20 international workers through the FFA Work Exchange Program, some staying with them for 6 months to a year. She taught several of them how to drive a car and loved to share in the celebration when they got their American driver's licenses.

She was the life of any gathering and enjoyed the young years of her kids by being a room mother. Rarely without her signature smile, Justine was known as the Smiley Face Lady. She spread cheer everywhere she went and "never met a stranger". She lived a life of joy that help her to withstand several difficult medical episodes in her life and always rebounded with a smile and a new story to tell. Her favorite song was "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today" which reflected her desire for everyone to know the happiness, the peace, and salvation she had found through Jesus Christ.

Visitation is Thursday, October 20th, 10am-11am followed immediately by a memorial service at 11am at First Southern Baptist Church, 19th & Gage, Topeka, 66604. Graveside Service follows at Mount Hope Cemetery at 12:30pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Southern Baptist Church, 1912 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604. Or, simply share a smile and a kindness with someone on Justine's behalf.

To share a special memory of Justine or to leave a message of condolence for Justine's family, please visit the guestbook below.