Laura Marie (Waechter) Heeke, 94, born in Kearny County, Kansas on Feb. 3rd, 1930 to Leland and Della (Elliott) Waechter, went to be with our Lord on June 25th, 2024. She grew up in the Menno Community south of Lakin, Kansas in Kearny County with her 3 brothers, Walter, Carl and Harold and her sister Freda. She attended primary school in a one-room school house nearby, St. John’s High School Academy in Winfield, Kansas, graduating in 1947, and St. John’s College.
On September 7th, 1950, she married Merle Heeke. She and Merle made their home in Lakin, Kansas then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1960, where they raised their eight children.
She is survived by seven daughters, Jeanne (Lyndon) Lange of Victoria, Texas, Barbara (Steve) Hawkinson, Carol (John) O’Donnell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ellen (Gregg) Graham of Monument, Colorado, Janeece Heeke of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Janelle (Eddie) Neuman of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Beverly (Kevin) Scott of Monument, Colorado; her daughter-in-law Linda (Heeke) Rahjes of Kensington, Kansas, her brother Harold Waechter of Garden City, Kansas, 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, her son, Dennis Heeke, and sons-in-law Steve Hawkinson and Eddie Neuman; brothers, Walter Waechter and Carl Waechter, and sister Freda McVey. As a homemaker, she spent many years being involved in her husband’s and children’s lives as a wonderful cook, an expert pie-baker, a 4-H leader, a seamstress, a driving instructor, and so much more.
Her patience, kindness and friendliness welcomed anyone into her home as if they were family. She was very intelligent and had a passion for education which she instilled in her children. She and Merle spent many summers traveling with the family and eventually on their own, making it to all 50 states. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they loved her sense of humor and yummy breakfast!
She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where services will be held. Graveside Service will be at 11:00 AM Saturday July 13, 2024 Lakin Cemetery in Lakin, Kansas with Rev Peter Tran officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Saturday prior to the service at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. Memorials are encouraged to be made to Abode Hospice, St. Mary’s High School or the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.