Jena Brayton Hausknecht, 87, beloved local wildlife artist of Burlington, died Sept. 5, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Jena was born on May 16, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo. She was the daughter of Bert and Virginia Brayton. Shortly after her adoption, her brother Paul joined the family and they moved to West Burlington, Iowa, where they were raised. She was a 1955 graduate of Burlington High School. Following her high school education, she attended Nurse’s Training at Burlington Junior College.
Jena married Eugene Williamson in 1957 and they had three children. They later divorced. In 1971 she married Arne Hausknecht.
Jena was a member of Trinity (Unity) Lutheran Church, The Art Guild of Burlington, The Society of Great River Poets, Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Burlington Fine Arts League, Hawkeye State Archaeology Society, Friends of the Library, Players Workshop Theatre, Junior Women’s League, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.
Jena was a gifted Wildlife Artist and garnered many Awards and Best of Show at Art Fairs and competitions across the Midwest. She had a deep passion and knowledge of archaeology, with an extensive unparalleled collection of her “finds”. She had a great love of nature and the outdoors and created some of her finest artwork on deerskins and hides. She was a skilled wood sculptor and crafted exquisite Native American carvings, totem poles, and jewelry. She enjoyed being an artist at Snake Alley Art Fair for many decades, and was commissioned to paint several murals on historical buildings in downtown Burlington.
Jena was a talented poet and was very musically inclined. A gifted violinist, she served as the Concert Mistress for the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra and Burlington High School Symphony many years ago.
Her kindness, love of nature, artwork, and passion for archaeology drew many to her. She enjoyed helping others and for many years, she worked with the Eagle Scouts on their outdoor merit projects.
Jena is survived by her husband Arne Hausknecht; her three children from her marriage to Eugene Williamson, Gigi (Thomas) Bonar, Gia Govinda Marie, Richard (Martina) Williamson; three step-children, Chris (Tim) Weaver, Lisa (Steve) Maddocks, Eric (Lindsey) Hausknecht; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandchild, one great-grandchild, and her brother.
She will be greatly missed by her loved ones, and by those whose lives she touched through her creative talent.
Visitation will be held at Lunning Chapel on September 14, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with Funeral Service directly following. A Private Burial will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in her name to: Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Park Road, Burlington, Iowa 52601.