Florence T. Jaeger

Florence T. (Lehmann) Jaeger, 96, of Holy Cross, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Luther Manor in Dubuque.

Visitation will be held 3 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Holy Cross. Visitation will continue from 9 - 10 am on Monday, July 2, 2026, at the funeral home prior to funeral services.

Funeral Services for Florence will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Fr. Phil Gibbs presiding. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Florence was born on December 19,1929 in Worthington, Iowa, to Frances (Honcomp) and Anton Lehmann. She attended St. Joseph school in Farley where she graduated in 1947 and learned to play the piano and organ. She began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse east of Dyersville. Stories say that the students were given recess whenever a young naval man came to visit.

She married the love of her life, Merlin J. Jaeger, on September 25,1950 in Farley, Iowa. They lived in Norman, OK and Annapolis, MD while Merlin served in the Navy. After returning to Iowa, they lived in Farley in a home Merlin built before purchasing a farm next door to Merlin’s parents south of Holy Cross in 1956. They farmed there until 1988 when their son Stephen and his family took over and they moved to a new home in Holy Cross that Merlin built. He passed on February 22, 2013.

Florence lived a joyous life, filled with love for her family, relatives and friends. She will be remembered as a master teacher, teaching for five years in a one-room schoolhouse, 25 years at R.H.C.L. school in Holy Cross, and later substitute teaching into her 80s in area schools. She was organist and choir director for 40 years at Holy Cross Church. She was an avid reader and gardener, and loved golfing, bowling and travelling. She and Merlin adventured together to more than 70 countries on six continents, where they met friends from around the world, many that still remain today.

Florence received a B. A. from the University of Dubuque in 1978, after many years of correspondence courses and summer school. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America #1460, Catholic Order of Foresters #881, American Legion Auxiliary and an associate for the PBVMs.

Surviving are two children, Sheila (Ralph Kluseman) Castañeda of Dubuque and Stephen (Debra) Jaeger of Holy Cross; six grandchildren: Kristina (Jason Henkel) Castañeda, Benjamin Castañeda, JoAnna (Aaron) Baum, Michele (Garett Padilla) Jaeger, Brian (Nicky Mertens) Jaeger, and Amy (Chris) O’Connell; stepdaughter Kay (Peter) Schroeder; 14 greatgrandchildren; and in-laws Marge Lehmann, Doris Offerman, Barbara Jaeger, Florence Frerich, Marlene Hess, Mary Jane Offerman and Robert (Sandy) Jaeger. Their many foreign exchange students and friends also held a special place in her heart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by four infant children, Gerard, Lou Ann, John and Catherine; her parents, brothers Clarence Lehmann, Elmer Lehmann, William Lehmann; sisters S. M. Lois Lehmann PBVM, Wilma Hogan and Ruth McMahon; in-laws Matthew and Marcella Jaeger, Verla Lehmann, Marina Lehmann, Anna Mae Lehmann, Joann Lehmann, William Hogan, Joe McMahon, Leon Offerman, Laverne Offerman, Dick Frerich, Arnold and Mary Jaeger, Lester Jaeger, Linda and Bob Meyers, and Dave Hess.

In lieu of flowers, a Florence T. Jaeger Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the staff of Luther Manor, especially Linda, and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Sasha, for the kind and consistent care provided for Florence in her last years of life.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home (Dyersville, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Monticello, Holy Cross) is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.