Kayser, Liesel Ann

Liesel Ann Kayser, 26, died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, in Cedar Rapids. Her body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3120 E. 24th St., Des Moines.

Liesel was born in Burnsville, Minn., on Feb. 13, 1987. She lived briefly in Minnesota and Maryland, but spent most of her life in Iowa. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 2005 and attended Drake University in Des Moines and Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids.

Liesel is survived by her mother, Kathy Kayser of High Rolls, N.M.; her father, Dean (Marie) Kayser of Waukee; her brother, Jay Kayser of Iowa City; her stepsister, Alicia Herzog of Cedar Falls; her fiance, Tim German of Cedar Rapids; her grandmother, Fran Konchel of Shelby Township, Mich.; and by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Liesel was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Irene Kayser and Joseph Konchel.

Liesel was a gifted writer and artist. In 2004, she received a silver medal national scholastic writing award for short stories and traveled to Carnegie Hall to receive the award. A passionate lover of music, her tastes spanned from Bach to Zappa. She was a gentle spirit and the mother of two Russian tortoises. Liesel loved nature and could spot a toad in the woods from 30 yards.

The family would like to thank the many friends, teachers and health care professionals so important during Liesel's too-brief life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Valley Humane Society, 7411 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 2, 2013.