Mavis G. Laabs

March 21, 1921 ~ January 1, 2009
Mavis G. Laabs, age 87, of Waverly, IA formerly of Waucoma, IA died on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at her home.
Mavis Geraldine Brandenburg was born on March 21, 1921 to Marion and Vera (Lickiss) Brandenburg on the family farm near West Union, IA. She graduated from Alpha High School in 1939. Mavis helped out area farm wives and on April 14, 1941 Mavis was united in marriage to Lyle at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. After their marriage the couple farmed the Laabs family farm south of Lawler for 50 years. In 1991 Lyle and Mavis retired and moved to their present home in Waverly.
Mavis enjoyed bus trips all over the United States. Mavis enjoyed wintering in Texas and Arizona with her husband. She also enjoyed knitting, giving knitting classes, crocheting, and being with her family. Mavis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1967.
Mavis is survived by her husband Lyle of Waverly, IA; five children Dianne (Marv) Dunford of Phoenix, AZ, Geraldine Knight of Riverside, CA, Karen (Bob) Downes of Fredericksburg, IA, Linda (David) Chmielewski of Rosemount, MN and Lanette (Larry) Wendt of Waverly, IA; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; six sisters Virginia (Dale) Conklin of West Union, IA, Darlene (Lyle) Steege of Fredericksburg, IA, Donna (Paul) Klotz of Cedar Falls, IA, Beverly (Everett) Hyman of Oelwein, IA, Leitha (John) Ross of Fredericksburg, IA, Charlotte Wuttke of New Ulm, MN; two brothers Amos (Jean) Brandenburg of Fredericksburg, IA and Clifford (Rhoda) Brandenburg of Tucson, AZ; a brother-in-law Charles Briggs of Richmond, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters Marian Briggs and Verla Niemann; brothers-in-law Darwin Niemann, Dick Wuttke and Robert Gruenberg; and a sister-in-law Gloria Brandenburg.
Cemetery:
Burial will be in New Hampton Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as casket bearers.
Visitation:
Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, January 5, 2009 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Service:
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in New Hampton with Rev. Kevin Frey and Rev. Joel Dahlen officiating.
Lyle and girls,
My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your wife and mother. She was always a joy to visit with. May you all draw strength from each other at this difficult time.
Amy Kangas,
Our deepest sympathy to Uncle Lyle. the girls and their families. Aunt Mavis was dearly loved by many and will be missed very much. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Love,
Stacy & Bill
Katie, Jenna, Nick & Blake
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother.
Sincerely,
Jan (Fenneman) Manson
Our warmest sympathy to you Grandpa Lyle and to All of my Aunts and Mom. I am sorry that we cannot be there. Grandma was a wonderful storyteller and I will always remember her.
All our love and blessings
Renee
All my love to Grandpa, Aunt Dianne, Aunt Linda, Aunt Karen, Aunt Lanette and Mom. The boys & I won’t be able to attend, but look forward to seeing everyone in the near future. I will forever be grateful for Grandma teaching me to bake & for sharing her special dinner roll recipe. Grandma will never be far from my heart.
I’m Gerri’s friend in AZ. My prayers and thoughts are with each of you as I know these days are very hard. Please remember how very much God loves each of you and will get you through. May you know His peace and comfort daily.
Lanette and family I was so sorry to hear about your mom passing away I know she was very special to you. I am sorry I can’t make any of the arrangements. But I just want you to know you are in my prayers and thoughts. Love Jean
My deepest sympathy to the family. I remember stopping in the house to visit Mavis years ago when we were neighbors on the farm. I always liked her.
My heartfelt sympathies to Grandpa Laabs, my aunts and my mom. I loved Grandma’s kitchen on the farm and all the stories that were told there. She will be dearly missed. I am sorry that I am unable to make the trip out.
Our hearts & spirits are with all our family even though we cannot be there physically.
Our sympathy to your family. I remember coming to the farm to visit with Lanette while we were in school. I am sorry for your loss