James Francis Laures

James Francis Laures age 88 of New Hampton, IA, died Thursday, May 28, 2026, at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton, with Rev. Chris Podhajsky celebrating the Mass. Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in New Hampton with Joe Gebel, Dan Boehme, Jack Meyerhofer, Gary Rathbone, Jim Eckenrod, and Phil Mahoney serving as pallbearers.  Tom Shekleton, Ronnie Heit, Mike Davis, James Davis, Dillion Njus, Mark Smith, JJ Jerdee, Brandon Shatek, Randy Schneider, Gary Johnson, and Josh Thiessen will be serving as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Wedneday, June 3, 2026 at the church prior to the service.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with arrangements.

James Laures was born to Felix and Margaret (Nauert) Laures on January 26, 1938. He attended school in New Hampton and graduated with the class of 1957. He worked for Earl Drewelow mink farm, Blue Line Oil Company, truck driver for the former Supersweet Feeds and Waterloo John Deere Tractor Works for 30 years and retired in 1997. He also served in the National Guard for six years and received an honorable discharge. He received his quilt of valor on June 1, 2019 and was very proud and grateful of it.

On July 8, 1961 he married the love and partner for life Joann Brincks at Sacred Heart Church at Reilly Ridge, Ia. When he finished his 6 month active duty the couple moved to the farm they purchased that year. To this union three children were born. Jim enjoyed visiting with people and could visit about any subject. After his retirement the couple enjoyed going on bus trips, day trips, listening to old time music and taking the grandchildren on day summer trips. His goal was to always leave a place better than he found it.

James is survived by his wife of 64 years Joann Laures; 1 son; 1 daughter; son-in-law Neal Schwickerath; granddaughters: Sara (JJ) Jerdee of New Hampton, Susan (Brandon) Shatek of Cresco, Barbara (Josh) Thiessen of Nashua, and 6 additional grandchildren; great-grandchildren: Addilyn and Colt Jerdee, Wesley and Graham Shatek, and 9 additional great grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Felix & Margaret (Nauert) Laures; daughter Leah Schwickerath; sister Janet Laures; parents-in-laws Joseph & Catherine Brincks; 4 brother-in-laws; and 3 sister-in-laws.

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