She attended grade school in North Buena Vista and her high school years were in Dubuque, Iowa, at Immaculate Conception High School. Laura then went on to two years of college at Arizona State College.She worked as a secretary to the President of May Seed Company in Ana, Illinois, for five years. Laura then returned to Dubuque in 1957 and continued to work as a secretary. She was a spirited woman who had great compassion for all animals. She was a homemaker and active member of St. Mary’s Church and the Church of the Resurrection. Laura spent many years as a foster grandparent at A.R.C. in Dubuque.

Those left to cherish Laura’s memory include

a sister,
Regina “Jean” Wortman, Iowa City, IA;

a sister-in-law,
Rita Gerner, Garber, IA;

her nieces, nephews and cousins.

Laura was preceded in death by
her parents; 3 brothers: Marcellus “Marc” (Viola) Gerner, Alphonse and Irven (Marcie) Gerner and 2 sisters: Aloysia “Alice” (Louis) Kasel, Colette “Cleo” (Cletus) Oyen and 2 brothers-in-law, Hugh Kotowske and George Wortman.

Laura’s family would like to thank her long-time care givers and Hospice of Dubuque for their kind and compassionate care of Laura.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among Laura’s favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com