Laura Gaffey
GAFFEY, MILLS, FAHNHOLZ, SUEPPEL, ROTH, STEVENS, REEVES, HORST, JAGODZINSKI, ARKINS, BERAN, COATES
Posted By: Amanda Lensing (email)
Date: 6/10/2015 at 13:17:21
Laura Gaffey, 95, formerly of Holbrook, died peacefully with her loved ones at her side on Saturday, May 30th at the Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center, Coralville.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 5th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Holbrook, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be in the St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Friends of Old St. Michael’s (200 West Maple Street, Williamsburg, IA, 52361).
Laura Marie Oney Fahnholz Gaffey was born October 28, 1919, to August and Iva Mills Fahnholz in Arapahoe, Nebraska. She often shared fond memories of her childhood living with her brother, John, and sister, Martha. Her parents, farmers in Barkley, Nebraska, instilled a strong work ethic in Laura which blessed all around her throughout her ninety-five years. After attending school, she often worked as a mother’s helper in various homes in the McCook, Nebraska area. It was here she was asked to go to the movies by a charming young man. Since she had no money for such a luxury, she thought it might be a good idea. That young man was Joe Gaffey to whom she was married for almost fifty years before his death in 1987. Together they worked and raised a family which includes over one hundred descendants.
Laura used her homemaking skills to raise a large garden, preserve the produce, sew for her loved ones and keep one of the "prettiest homes in Holbrook". In 1961, she went to work for University of Iowa Food Services. She had many fond remembrances of her time there. In 1981, she retired to care for her ailing husband, Joe, until his death. During her many years in Holbrook, she was very active in the Altar & Rosary Society of St. Michael’s Church, preparing many meals at the AOH Hall. She was raised in the Lutheran religion, but embraced the Catholic faith after her marriage and attended Mass at St. Michael’s, Holbrook, until the church closed in 1996.
Laura spent many happy hours reminiscing about her frequent travels to visit family in California, Texas, and Nebraska. Some of her favorite events were hosting the annual Gaffey Christmas Eve and St. Patrick’s Day dinners. Her homemade candies, especially her amazing fudge, as well as her cookies, pies, and angel food cakes were always the favorite desserts. She loved green olives, pickled beets, sauerkraut, cucumber and onions, but detested chicken and most fish.
She was known for her warm and friendly personality always making all feel welcome to her home. No one could ever leave without at least a piece of candy, a cup of coffee, a soda, or even a beer. Laura was known for her feisty -- yet quick to laugh -- spunky personality. Her determined nature would win any opponents over with her impish smile. Many a plan would be spontaneously changed according to Laura’s whims.
Her sharp wit included such phrases as, “Do you like the way you’re put together?” and “A poor excuse is better than none” and of the course the all-time favorite was, “I could hear you if you’d just speak up and quit mumbling!”
Laura will always be remembered as the nice lady from Holbrook who was a loving and caring mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, friend, and most importantly -- a loving and faithful wife.
She is survived by her children: Gerald (Marilyn) of Iowa City, Laurine Sueppel (Robert) of Marion, Charles (Ann) of Lena, Illinois, Mary Kathryn Roth (John) of West Branch, Harold (Cindi) of Coralville, Ed (Karen) of Georgetown, Texas, and Theresa Stevens (Jerry) of Cedar Rapids. She also has surviving nieces: Jolene Reeves of Duncan, Oklahoma, and Beverly Horst of Montgomery, Indiana, Connie Jagodzinski of Milford, Connecticut, and Iva Atkins of Beggs, Oklahoma. Also surviving are her brother-in-laws, John Gaffey (Helen) of Williamsburg and Robert Gaffey of Iowa City; and two sister-in-laws, Madeline Gaffey Beran of Bettendorf and Margie Gaffey Coates (Richard) of Denver, Colorado. There are twenty-six grandchildren, forty-six great-grandchildren, and twenty-one great-great grandchildren, plus three on the way (that we know of).
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother and sister; two grandsons; several nieces and nephews; and her son-in-law; as well as several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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