Kathleen Laures

Kathleen M. Laures, age 80 of New Hampton, Iowa, died Monday morning, November 5, 2012, surrounded by her family at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Friday, November 9, 2012, at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Center in New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus officiating. The pall will be placed by her children. Ann Bennett will be the organist accompanying the North Washington Men’s Choir. Molly Morris will be the lector. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Bill and Marlys Sinnwell. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Alyssa Laures, Elizabeth Laures, Ashlyn Laures, Nathan Laures, Aaron Morris, Robert Jung, Randy Schilling and Dr. Chris Laures as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Laures, Nikki Collins, Alan Morris, Jordyn Rahlf, Josh Schilling, Jared Laures, Jessica Troendle, Sydney Laures, Jason Morris, Shane Laures, Andrew Laures and James Schilling. Friends may greet the family from 3 - 8 pm Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton, where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Rosary and a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service. Further visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 'Big Ed's Beach-Bash For The Cure' (Alzheimers) c/o 680 West Milwaukee Street, New Hampton, IA 50659 Kathleen Mary Laures was born August 21, 1932, near Ionia, Iowa, the daughter of William Joseph and Elizabeth Emma (Arnhalt) Sinnwell. Her father William, was originally from Roseville, Iowa and her mother was from North Washington. She was the youngest of six children. Kathleen grew up on the farm, helping with the many chores associated with their farm and dairy cows. She attended St. Boniface Catholic School in Ionia where she lived close enough to walk through the field to school. Kathleen first met her future husband when he started working for her father on the farm. Kathleen and Virgil had their first date on November 1, 1949, where they danced the night away. On October 24, 1951, Kathleen married the love of her life, Virgil Lester Laures at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia. To this union eight children were born. Shortly after their marriage, Virgil entered the United States Army. He served for two years during the Korean War. While Virgil was in the service, Kathleen went to Dubuque and worked as a secretary for Loras College. When Virgil came back from the war, they settled on a farm near North Washington where Kathleen and Virgil became the proud parents of seven of their eight children. Kathleen was always Virgil’s right hand ‘woman’ helping him with anything he needed. She did the books, ran for parts, and even handed him wrenches. Whatever he needed, she was there to help. In 1969, the Laures family moved into New Hampton and Virgil began working for the New Hampton Light Plant. At that time, their youngest son, Brian, was born and Kathleen stayed home until he reached school age. They maintained Virg’s Repair for a few years after moving to town. She also worked at the hospital, county home, and the care center doing general housekeeping. Later in life, she cleaned for the Farm Service Building and Great Plains Lumber Co. The couple went to many American Legion activities. They were active members of the Alta Vista VFW and the Lawler American Legion Post. Kathleen was also an active member of the Auxiliary. The couple had a love of dancing and square dancing. Virgil was known for his large hands. Kathleen would grab his hand while they were dancing and hold his thumb to steer him around the dance floor. They loved to travel as they grew older, making their rounds visiting their children, relatives and friends. Kathleen and Virgil visited every state, except Alaska and Hawaii. Kathleen was a huge gardener and loved the time spent in her many gardens around New Hampton. She enjoyed canning and love tending to her flowers. She was a devoted grandma to her 20 grandchildren, making them pay for her chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with a kiss. In the early 2000’s, the Laures family realized Kathleen was beginning her battle with Alzheimers. She had been her mother’s caretaker when she suffered from Alzheimers and Virgil’s father as well. Therefore, the Laures family has started the 'Big Ed's Beach-Bash For The Cure' (Alzheimers) They are actively working towards a cure. Survivors include; five sons, Arnie (June) Laures of Waukon, Ron Laures of Platte City, MO, Greg (Joyce) Laures of New Hampton, Larry (Amy) Laures of Alta Vista, Brian (Teresa) Laures of New Hampton; two daughters, Virginia Laures of Idaho and Joan (Al) Morris of New Hampton; one, son-in-law, Brian Schilling of New Hampton; twenty grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Myron (Dorothy) Sinnwell of Jobstown, NJ; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil on August 27, 2012; her daughter, Peg on February 23, 2002; a granddaughter, Lynn Laures; two brothers, Cyril Sinnwell and Delphin “Pete” Sinnwell; two sisters, Junilla Kuehn and Sister Armella (Ursula) Sinnwell, Sisters of Saint Francis.