KIEFER, Mary LaVerna (Butler) 1920-2019

KIEFER, JOHNSON, BUTLER, KEENAN

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 12/28/2019 at 09:19:50

Mary LaVerna “Pumpkin Lady” Kiefer

Biography

Mary LaVerna “Pumpkin Lady” Kiefer, age 99, of Waterloo, died Thursday December 26, 2019, at Rosewood Estate.

She was born August 23, 1920, in Montezuma, Iowa, the daughter of Dewey D. and Alma Elmira (Johnson) Butler. Mary attended Montezuma High School and Pitze’s School of Beauty. She was united in marriage with Robert E. Kiefer on August 4, 1947 in Grundy Center, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 26, 1995.

Mary was a beautician at Pitze’s School of Beauty for about 13 years and then was a homemaker and raised her family. She and Robert established Kiefer’s Pumpkin Patch in Waterloo in the early 1960’s.

She was a member of the former Bethel Presbyterian Church, now known as Unity Presbyterian Church in Waterloo and was very involved in church activities and taught Sunday school. Mary was a hard-working, spunky lady who wanted to keep busy. She spent many hours working in the family greenhouse and enjoyed spending time with her family, puzzles, eating Sunday brunch and animals of all kinds.

Survivors include her daughter, Reta (John) Humpal, and a son, Rick (Julie) Kiefer, all of Waterloo; three grandchildren: Jesse J. (Sheri) Taylor, James (Megan) Humpal and Amanda (Brandon) Trebon and four great-grandchildren, Wade and Marissa Sigl; Madilynne and Kolten Trebon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Roy and Donald Butler; and a sister, Dixie Keenan.

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Services:
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at Unity Presbyterian Church, 1149 Hammond Avenue in Waterloo

Cemetery:
Garden of Memories Cemetery

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to Becker-Chapman American Legion Post, 728 Commercial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701.

SOURCE: Kearns Funeral Service