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Piersall, Laura Cecelia Swenka
Laura Cecelia Swenka Piersall, 95, a resident of Hallmar Care Center, died at Hallmar Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. Funeral mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. David Beckman officiating. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where there will be a vigil service at 5 p.m., and a visitation one hour before the service Thursday at the church. Internment: St. John's Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Laura was born Sept. 16, 1914, in North Liberty, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Svoboda) Swenka. Laura was employed by Collins Radio during World War II. In 1942, she met and married Dale S. Piersall. She worked as a homemaker, managed several rental properties, volunteered as a Camp Fire leader and also volunteered at the Salvation Army, Witwer Center and with several church groups. She and Dale enjoyed traveling extensively, including two trips to Europe and trips to Australia, New Zealand and throughout the United States. She also enjoyed dancing and playing bridge with several bridge groups.
Laura is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dale S. Piersall; her son, James A. (Monica) Piersall of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Matthew (Janey Jill) Piersall of Cedar Rapids, Valerie (Michael) Herring of Golden Valley, Minn., and John Piersall of Ithaca, N.Y.; three great-grandchildren, Mattie and Elaine Piersall of Cedar Rapids, and Ainsley Herring of Golden Valley, Minn.; a sister, Angeline Russell of Iowa City; sisters-in-law, Irene Swenka of Strawberry Point, Mary Jean Swenka of Iowa City, and Donna Piersall of Menomonie, Wis.; numerous nephews and nieces; and the Brunkhorsts, her extended family.
Laura was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Barbara J. Piersall; brothers, Frank, Arthur, Theadale, Woodrow, Samuel and John Swenka; and sisters, Wilma Shaffer, Georgia Matthes, Caroline Swenka, and Nora Smith, her twin sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Laura's name may be directed to St. Matthew's Catholic Church or the Mercy Medical Foundation.
Online condolences may be left for the family at
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