Laura M. Gefaller, 67, of Hawkeye, died Sunday evening, April 22, 2018, at her home in Hawkeye surrounded by her loving family following a battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Church-Stapleton with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating.  Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held for one hour preceding services at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be made in Laura’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church-Stapleton. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting Laura’s family.  

Laura Marie Lewig was born March 8, 1951, in New Hampton, the daughter of Irvin and Katherina (Mahler) Lewig. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She was a 1969 graduate of North Fayette High School in West Union. She also graduated from St. Luke’s School of Practical Nursing in Cedar Rapids, and N.I.C.C. in Calmar with an Associate’s Degree in Science. On December 27, 1969, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church-Richfield,  rural Sumner, she married the love of her life, Richard Gefaller. To this union four children were born, Scott, Chris, Craig, and Janel. Laura farmed along side her husband for twenty-five years. She later worked as an insurance biller and manager of a home medical equipment supplier. She retired in 2016. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and riding her motorcycle. She loved sewing projects for her family.

Survivors include her husband, Richard of forty eight years, sons, Scott (Missy) Gefaller of Onawa, Chris (Jennifer) Gefaller of Hawkeye, and Craig (Danielle) Gefaller of Hawkeye, daughter Janel (Shane) Speck of Cedar Falls, sixteen grandchildren, and brother, Bob (Shirley) Lewig of Fairfax.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Doretta Schlatter, brothers, Arnold and LaVern Lewig, brother-in-law, Melvin Schlatter, and sister-in-law, Lavonne Lewig.