In loving memory of
Laura Stecker
December 25, 2008
Interment: Good Hope Lutheran Cemetery ~ Titonka
Laura Luella Stecker, daughter of Alvie and Mary (Wertjes) Anderson was born February 11, 1920, in rural Titonka, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Good Hope Lutheran Church. She grew up and received her education in rural country schools near Lakota, Iowa, after which she worked as a "hired girl" with area families, helping after the birth of a child or helping someone during their time of need. On June15, 1939, she married Martin Bruno Stecker at Good Hope Lutheran in Titonka, Iowa. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed on two rental farms, one by Woden and one south of Titonka, before buying the Stecker family farm north of Titonka. Laura always said she loved growing up and living on the farm, working with the land and the animals. In 1986 they built a new home and moved to Titonka to enjoy the "town life." In July of 2007 Laura moved to the Titonka Care Center where she settled in with grace and dignity.
She was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church of Titonka, in the Ladies Aid, and WELC. She was a life long gardener and instilled in her children the love of the outdoors and gardening, especially her flowers. She was a devoted Grandma and Oma, always having a cookie in the jar for her "little ones." Many memories live on of fun days on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa. She loved decorating her home, especially for Christmas. Martin, Laura and family enjoyed many wonderful trips during the years and even after Martin's death, she continued to enjoy her jaunts with Cora and Cathy. She will be greatly missed because she was the "center of the family."
She is survived by nine children, Cora Hatfield of Ames, Lorraine (Laurie) and Jerry Harms of Titonka, Jim and Gail Stecker of Gilbert, Cathy and Bruce Walter of Eagan, MN, Rose and Robert Erickson of Bloomington, MN, Tricia and Dan Lindstrom of Mankato, MN, Duane Stecker of Algona, Robert and Sheila Stecker of Titonka, and Marlene Stecker of Spencer. She had 22 grandchildren: Mark Hatfield; Shellee and Trent Van Hove; Jolene Payton; Jere and Eric Bartolo; Chad and Jill Harms; Matt and Sarah Harms; Steve and Beth Stecker; Aaron and Janette Stecker; Jason and Amanda Stecker; Leigh Walter; Lori Erickson; Brent Erickson; Kelly, Christie, Holly and Danny Lindstrom; Abigail and Kyle Stecker, Melissa, Christopher, and Jacy Meyer.
She was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren,Teddy, Tony, Thad, Zachary, Becca, Jensen, Ava, Maryn, Hannah, Sara, Stephanie, Seth, Chad, Dani, John, Nathan, William, Raelyn, Jake, and one expected great-great grandchild, all dearly loved. She is survived also by brothers-in-law Leonard Gray, Fred (and Janice) Stecker, George (and Arlene) Stecker, and sisters-in-law Marjorie Stecker, Jacky Stecker, Marcella (and Bob) Grabko, and Gertrude (and Charles) Banks, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin in 1988, son Elmer Martin in 1942, son-in-law, James Hatfield, grandson, James Hatfield Jr., her parents, two brothers, Clarence Anderson, and Lawrence in infancy, three sisters, Marie Cordes, Iva Gray, and Iona Gray and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Laura died December 25, 2007, Christmas Day, her favorite holiday, at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, Iowa.