BETTENDORF — Laurie Kay Hoefling, 65, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 26 in her home with loved ones at her side after a brief battle with cancer.
She was born Nov. 29, 1957 in Cherokee, Iowa, the daughter of James Dean and Donna Louise (Buddenhagen) Hoefling. She graduated from Marcus Community High School in 1976, and received a Bachelor of Arts in special education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1980. Her talents and patience were put to good use while teaching elementary special education in Grinnell, Iowa for the next eight years. In 1988, Laurie began a 35-year career at the Diocese of Davenport. She thoroughly enjoyed her job and, above all, loved helping people. Laurie was and will forever be the bright spot in everyone’s day with her contagious smile and kind words.
If Laurie knew you, she knew your family and their interests. People above things was her motto, her mantra, and her lifestyle. She may not have any direct descendants, but she left a legacy far more grand than many hope for.
Olivia, Gianni and Elijah King knew Laurie as a second mother; she was integral in their faith development, education and upbringing. Laurie passionately followed their interests and actively supported their athletics, volunteerism, career paths and lives.
While Laurie loved and appreciated the beauty of flowers, memorials are asked to be made to charities that, like Laurie, serve people. Some of her preferred charities include Riverbend Food Bank-Davenport, your local food bank, Humility Homes and Services-Davenport, diocesan Catholic Charities or McAnthony Window at St Anthony Parish-Davenport. Perhaps purchase personal care items or paper products for people in need, or donate to your local school supply drive or backpacks for kids.
Survivors include longtime friend and roommate Patricia King, one sister, four brothers, stepmother, four step-sisters, 25 nieces and nephews, 27 great-nieces and great-nephews, and three great-nephews on the way.
Laurie was preceded in death by her parents and brother Johnny.
Visitation is June 30 at St. John Vianney Parish from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service to conclude the evening. Additional visitation is from 9 a.m. until the funeral July 1 at St. John Vianney. A Mass of Christian Burial begins at 10 a.m. It also will be livestreamed at sjvbett.org
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. July 3 at Holy Name Catholic Church, Marcus, Iowa with visitation held from 9 a.m. until Mass begins. Burial will take place in Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Marcus.
