Obituary of Laurel M. Pfeifer

Laurel Mae Pfeifer age 87 of Fort Atkinson Wisconsin. Heaven gained another angel on Tuesday March 6th 2018 when Laurel passed away after a three-year struggle with dementia.

She was born Laurel Mae Vander Velde on March 6th 1931 in La Crosse WI to Richard and Ellen (Vander Laan) Vander Velde. She married Nathan J. Hartman on October 8th 1949 who preceded her in death on February 9th 1960. On July 11th 1964 she married Merlin C Pfeifer.

She worked at Redi  Serve for 28 years and Jefferson County Daily Union for 10 years retiring at age 83.

She graduated from Holmen WI High School in 1949 where she was the fastest runner earning the nickname “Sea Biscuit.”

 Laura was very proud of her Dutch heritage. Her interests were reading, garage sales, craft fairs, traveling, baking, gardening, cards and word searches. She also loved her dogs and cats.

She is survived by her spouse Merlin C. Pfeifer; 5 children: Errol (Christine) Hartman,  Madison WI, Gregory Hartman,  Fort Wayne IN, Gary Hartman,  Milton WI, Deborah Wallace,  Boca Raton, FL and Karla (Michael) Neujahr, Cape Coral, FL; 6 grandchildren:  Kevin (Yvonne) Brown, Nathan Wallace, Ashley (Nicole) Neujahr ,  Jarrod (Alexandra) Neujahr , Charles Neujahr,  and Royce Neujahr,   5 great-granddaughters:  Kiana Rogers, Cassidi Rogers, Emma Neujahr, Meesha  Neujahr, and Bailey Neujahr ; brother-in-law: Donald Pfeifer,  and brother-in-law and sister-in-law  Bill and Carol Hoffman all of Fort Atkinson WI. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her stepmother Johanna Vander Velde.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, 404 Roosevelt Street, Fort Atkinson, WI.  Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, WI.

Friends may call after 9:00AM on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the church until the time of the services.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson WI where she was a member or to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson, WI.

 Her family would like to thank those who assisted with her care including special friend Jody Furley and Carol Hoffman; Rainbow Hospice and healthcare providers, Aaron Beck and Sue Ipsen.

 Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.