Greg & Jeannette Hall
They’re sharing trust with their neighbors
For Iowa City neighbors Greg and Jeannette Hall and Jim and Jan Stier, it’s all about trust.
The Halls leave a spare key with the Stiers in case they lock themselves out. The Stiers’ granddaughter, from Des Moines, comes to town to play with the Halls’ daughter.
Stier was hospitalized in November with a serious infection that required surgery and a long recovery time.
He and his wife, both in their 80s, were worried about removing snow from their home this winter.
The Halls jumped in right away.
“The fact that he shows enough trust in us and we trust him, we help him out without batting an eye,” Greg Hall said. “He’s the guy who’d never ask for help.”
Hall said the Stiers are family friends of his wife, and over the five years they have been neighbors, they have become close.
“I think having neighbors older than us, it’s just kind of inviting to sit and talk,” he said. “They are mother and father figures to us.”
Jeannette Hall said Stier often is the one helping them out, bringing his snow blower over to clear the driveway.
“It’s great for us, and we love it,” she said. “They are retired and home all the time. They are the ones always doing things for us.”
Greg Hall said he grew up in small-town Iowa, and said he is used to interacting with his neighbors.
“Everyone helps everyone else out,” he said. “If someone needs a little extra help, you give it.”
Jeannette Hall said her parents taught her that being a good neighbor is important.
“My parents were always out for the extra mile,” she said. “My mom has never met a stranger. It’s just understanding that it is the right thing to do.”
— Kathryn Fiegen
