Pauline Sue Hefter, 87, of Rock Island passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.

A Memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 29, 2026 at the Knox Chapel of Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory- 2106 7th Ave in Rock Island. 

The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM to service time. Inurnment will be at a later date in Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Hennepin Canal.

Pauline was born on November 15, 1938 in Sterling, IL the daughter of Paul and Martha (Popkins) Woessner. She graduated from Sterling High School and later from Drake University. Pauline married Wilfred “Will” Hefter on June 20, 1959 in Sterling. The couple made their home in Rock Island where they raised their three children.

She served on several boards in her community including Niabi Zoo, Trinity Hospital, and American Heart Association. Pauline was active with the Junior Board of Rock Island and served as chairwoman of the Mardi Gras Charity Ball in 1979.

Pauline loved spending time with her family, playing cards and tennis, and traveling. She also enjoyed reading and tending her flower gardens.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of almost 67 years, Wilfred; children, Lisa (Frank “Toby”) Bower, Lana (Dan) Lipton, Paul (Sonya) Hefter; grandchildren, Cody (Sarah) Bower, Danielle (Juan) Rodriguez, Michelle (Christopher) Dasso, Mason Hefter, and Lacy Hefter; four step-grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, Doris Dillon, Phyllis (Ralph) Mackh, and Stanley (Debbie) Woessner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Martha; brother, Donald Woessner; grandson, Matthew Brown; and brother-in-law, John Dillion.

To leave condolences for the family, please sign the guestbook.