Laura S. TeKippe
June 22, 1962 ~ March 18, 2011
Laura TeKippe, 48, of Waukee, IA formerly of New Hampton, IA died Friday, March 18, 2011 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston following her ten month battle with cancer. She faced this challenge in typical Laura fashion, with faith, spunk, and passion.
Laura was born June 22, 1962 in Iowa City, the daughter of Margaret (Fitzgerald) and Richard TeKippe. Her family moved to New Hampton when Laura was in second grade. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School through 8th grade, then attended and graduated from New Hampton High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business from Iowa State University, and she was an avid Cyclone fan.
Laura had an incredible work ethic and truly enjoyed working for Norwest/Wells Fargo Card Services for 25 years. She started at an entry level position and worked her way up to Business Systems Consultant. Her work friends and acquaintances brought her great joy. She was saddened to have to leave her work because of her illness.
Being the only girl in the family, the biggest joys of Lauras life were her brothers, nieces and nephews. She spoiled all of them rotten and many people commented that they wanted to have an Aunt Laura just like her. She took care of her family and never expected anything in return.
Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Rich and Marge TeKippe of New Hampton; Grandma Velma TeKippe of New Hampton; brother, Jeff and his boys, PJ and Mike; brother, Joe (Jamie) and their children, Heather (Kyle) Maakestad, J. R., and Hannah of Waukon; brother, John (Sherri) and their children, Gerene and Richie of Des Moines; and brother, Jim (Stephanie) and their children, Madison and Nicholas of New Hampton. She was preceded in death by her Grandpa Paul TeKippe, Grammy Florence Fitzgerald and Granddad Raymond Fitzgerald.
Her family and many friends from Wells Fargo, St. Boniface Church, Amazing Women Cancer Support Group, and many other places will truly miss her warm smile, kind spirit, and generous heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Boniface Church, Spina Bifida Association of Iowa, CaringBridge, or Relay for Life Team Love for Laura.
Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Boniface Church, Spina Bifida Association of Iowa, CaringBridge, or Relay for Life Team Love for Laura.
Cemetery:
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at New Hampton.
Visitation:
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 24, 2011 with a 7:00pm vigil service at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton and will continue at the church one hour prior to mass.
Service:
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Friday, March 25, 2011 at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph's Center in New Hampton.
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Dear Marge, Rich and family- We are so sorry for your loss. Laura was a sweet, dear person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this time! Mark and Karen Steffes
Rich, Marge and the TeKippe family – I can’t begin to tell all of you how sorry I am to hear of Laura’s death. Although we had lost touch after high school, I was honored to re-establish contact. I’m just sorry it was her illness and the CaringBridge website that brought us back in touch.
During the past months, I was in awe of her strength of spirit and her strength of faith. I was reminded again of what a beautiful person she was.
She will always be with you in spirit.
A special note to Sherri-thank you so much for your time and dedication to the website, and to Laura. You have truly been a wonderful sister to her, especially the last ten months.
As always, my thoughts and tears are with you. This loss is Heaven’s gain.
Love, Ann
Rich, Marge, & family,
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. The
TeKippe’s and Fitzgerald’s are so much a part of our family. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have of
Laura and hold them close to your heart. I am sorry I
will not be home as I am leaving for Arizona on Tuesday.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen & Merle Schwickerath
To a special Family and all of Laura’s friends, I am heart broken that Laura’s amazing fight is over. She is one of Gods special angels now and she is at peace , this does’nt make it any easier for the family , but just know that there are so many people praying and thinking of you at this difficult time.
She will be missed by many. God Bless
Lisa (Laures) Lewis and Family
Dear Marge, Rich and all of your family: Bob and I extend our deepest sympathy for your loss and hold all of you in our prayers. Laura always seemed like such a kind, sweet and gentle person – a special gift.
Dear Rich and Marge,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I have very fond memories of Laura during our grade school and high school days. Thank you for a wonderful and caring daughter. i will not be able to make it to her services as i will be out of the country. God Bless Laura.
I am so sorry to hear of Lauras passing. Such a beautiful person. So many great memories of Grade school years at St. Joes with Laura and then into high school. My thoughts are with the family. Prayers for Laura.
Marge, Rich and families.
We are indeed sorry to hear of Laura’s death.
She was a “fighter” in her battle with cancer.
She will be missed by many. Your have our sincere sympathy. Geri and Lloyd Oltrogge
Marge, Rich and family,
My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. God works in strange ways and sometimes we just can’t figure out what he has in mind. May Laura’s smile and spirit live on in your hearts forever.
Thoughts and prayers
Mary Jane Leach
Marge, Rich and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed and Sandy Shekleton
Marge,Rich and all the Tekippe families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you cope with this big loss to your lives. I am sure she will be missed dearly as the days continue to go on. Our hearts go out to you.
Ken & Jeanine Douglas
Our hearts go out to everyone in the TeKippe family. Laura was both a classmate and friend that I wlll never forget. She defined class and grace in everything she did. She was very proud of her family and enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephews. Heaven now has another angel watching over us all. We hold you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Rich, Marge and family,
Laura was a very special person and I have lots of great memories of Laura, especially from St. Josephs grade school. Laura touched a lot people and I am glad I was one of them. Thinking of you all. Love and prayers, Barb
Rich, Marge, and the TeKippe Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Laura’s passing and I like the rest of the people that had the opportunity to know Laura will remember her as always kind,Positive, and always having fun & enjoying whatever she was doing. She will be missed by all.
To the entire TeKippe Family:
We offer our sincere sympathy and prayers at this sad time. We will ask God to “walk with you” in your grief and give you comfort. We are so sorry for your loss.
Alice and Dan Conlon
To the Tekippe Family – My heart and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Laura was the best friend a person could have. I will cherish the great memories I have of her in high school and at Iowa State. She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, and I am blessed to have had her in my life. Deepest sympathy, Rebecca
To the TeKippe family, I was a classmate of Laura’s and just heard about the sad news. I am just extending my sympathy to you. She will be deeply missed by so many people. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
To the TeKippe family, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I have alot of good memories going to school with Laura. She was very kind and a pleasure to be around. God be with you and provide comfort to your family.
To the Tekippe Family: I have so many wonderful memories growing up with Laura. She was so kind and had the best laugh. I know your own memories of her and her faith will sustain you in your sadness. I hope you find comfort in my thoughts and prayers for your family.
We have thought of your family so often these past months and there are no words to express our sadness for all of you. May time help the hurting.
Sondra and Larry Fain
Dear Rich, Marge and Family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Know that we are thinking of you.
Dear Tekippe Family….. I cannot put into words how sorry I am for all of you. Laura was an amazing person in so many ways. Laura has, and always will, hold a special place in our hearts . We loved it when she could join is for the 4th of July (of course we like it when Rich and Marge can come too) and any other holiday we could spend together. She was so proud of her family, especially her neices and nephews. May the MANY happy memories all of you have, help heal the hurt. Our love and prayers to each of you.
Heartfelt condolences to the TeKippe family. How fortunate we are to have been touched by Laura’s presence in our lives. Peace be with you all.
I love you.
Among my fortune could be found,
A sister’s love that’s all around.
And Jamie found the penny too,
No doubt that it had come from you.
You’ve shown to us your loving signs,
So heavy hearts some peace might find.
You told us that it would be so,
Before God said that you must go.
Keeping us now with angel’s care,
Reminding us that you are there.
Laura, we know that it is you,
And broken hearts shall heal anew.
Be at peace, my beautiful sister.
I’m truly saddened by Laura’s passing. As a classmate of Laura’s at both St Joseph’s and New Hampton High I can remember that she always had a smile on her face.
My sympathies to the TeKippe Family. I wish I could be at the services but am out of state at this time.
Always remember that smile of hers!
God Bless!!!
Dick Galligan
Joe, Jamie, Heather, J.R., Hannah, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It is time like this that a person realizes how special family is. We are honored to have you as part of our scouting family.
YIS and friendship,
Tim Smith and The Scouts and Scouters of Troop 64
Margaret you and your husbqan have my deepest symphaty
Marge, Rich & family,
I’m so sad to hear of Laura’s passing. I know your family is close and it sounds like you’ve got lots of great memories to reminisce about. My deepest sympathies to all of you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Be strong — I’m sure that’s what Laura would have wanted.
Jo
Marge, Rich and TeKippe family – we are so sorry to hear of Laura’s death. You are in our hearts and prayers. May God hold you in his arms during this difficult time.
Marge, Rich and TeKippe family – we are so sorry to hear of Laura’s death. You are in our hearts and prayers. May God hold you in his arms during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathies go out to the entire family. Treasure the memories. May God bless you all.
Rich, Marge & Family,
Our hearts are breaking for you. We pray God will hold you close in your sorrow and give you peace. Laura was special in so many ways, her loving spirit and gentle ways
will be the memories of her we will cherish forever. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cletus % Doris
Rich, Marge and family, I was so sorry to hear of Laura’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I, like so many of us, have very fond memories of her and will miss her greatly.
Barb (Tierney) Kuhn
Rich, Marge and family, We want to extend our sincere sympathy at this difficult time. We didn’t know Laura as a person but any avid Cy fan is a huge loss. We pray you will draw strength from your strong faith. Jim and Sue Jensen
Rich, Marge, and family – We were deeply saddened to hear of Laura’s passing. Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear. May God give you hope and peace at this sad time.
Rich, Marge, and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you cope with the recent loss of your daughter, sister, and aunt. May God grant you comfort and strength to bear your grief and sadness and to go on living as she would want.
Joe and Sharon Haskovec
Rich, Marge, and the whole family,
Our thoughts and prayers to you.
Sincerely yours,
Bob and Brenda Rausch
Rich,Marge and families. Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Laura. I cannot imagine your sadness at this time. Our prayers go out to comfort you all yknow that she is a brite star shining down on all of you. Sincerelly, Chris and Jackie Perkins
To the parents, family and friends of Laura, You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time of your loss. She will be greatly missed by all who know her.
To the TeKippe Family,
My heart felt sympathy at the time of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
We send our love and prayers to the TeKippe family. Your loss saddens us so very deeply. It is so hard to understand and accept that bad things do indeed strike good people!
Dear TeKippe Family,
What you must be going through right now….please know that so many are thinking of you and mourn Laura’s passing. We missed her at the class reunion last summer but she was fondly remembered both then and now as someone who truly touched people with her wonderful smile and kind nature. Our prayers are with you all.
Dear TeKippe family, our hearts are aching for you and all those who loved Laura. We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that Laura’s fight inspired so many; her courage and determination are a wonderful example of who she was, and where she came from. May God Bless you. With heartfelt sympathy, Francie & Steve Crawford
From a headstone in Ireland: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
I will never forget the wonderful memories of Laura. My thoughts and prayers are with the TeKippe family as they spend countless hours remembering a remarkable person who will always be watching over those she loves.
I am so sorry for your loss. I did no know Laura, but it sounds like she was abeautiful person. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish the many memories you have made over the years. Peace be with you all.
Margaret and Richard, it is so sad that Laura has gone home so soon. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.
Margaret and Richard, it is so sad that Laura has gone home so soon. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.
Rich and Marge, So sorry to hear of your loss. We extend our condolensces to the entire family. Cherish the memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Tom and Irene Frantzen
Rich, Marge and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, Laura will be missed by many.
Ken, Bridget Kuennen and family
Rich, Marge, and family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
To the TeKippe Family, I am sorry to hear about Laura’s passing. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. I had the blessed opportunity to know Laura. I grew up un NH and was a classmate from St. Joes to NHHS. She will be missed by all.
Your love lifted Laura to the heights she needed to guide you from above. She has always been an angel and Heaven is a better place with her now.
I cherished the moments we fought cancer together and she made me a stronger fighter and I am forever grateful.
God has been blessed with the gift of having Laura in Heaven.
My sympathy to her family and friends.
Cathy Martin
I would like to extend my sympathies to Laura’s family on your loss. Laura was in my high school graduating class.
Our hearts go out to your family in the passing of Laura.
She was a beautiful and lovely woman. She will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Please note that Laura and the Tekippe family are in my prayers. With deepest sympathy,
sincerely,
Terry Wilhelms
Rich, Marge and family: I’m so sorry to hear of Laura’s passing. Laura always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she meet. May you find comfort in knowing she if finally home and no longer suffering. May God, family and friends see you through this difficult time. God Bless.
Rich, Marge and Family…
We were so saddened to learn of Laura’s death. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. There is another beautiful angel watching over us.
Gary and Jeanne
We have heavy hearts writing this message. We prayed for Laura as she battled this awful disease. Please remember and cherish all of the qualiity years Laura was here on earth. Her spirit will live forever. You have our sympathy.
Mark & Diane Murphy
You have our deepest sympathy and are in our prayers.
To the TeKippe family: You have our deepest sympathy for your loss. Her bravery and faith were inspiring as she battled this awful disease. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. God bless, Laura.
Rich, Marge and family – You have our deepest sympathy. Laura fought her battle very bravely and taught us how important faith is. Her lovely warm and caring nature will be missed. May God bless all of you. Pat & Carol
Rich, Marge and Family. We were so saddened to learn of Laura’s death. Our prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. We just got home from a trip when we found out the death of Laura.
Again you have our deepest sympathy
Rich, Marge and family
You all have our deepest smypathy we are so sorry! We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Stephen and Shelley Stalder