Hempeler, Lena E.

Lena E. Hempeler, 86, died Nov. 12, 2011, of natural causes at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.

Lena Emma Christina Stickfort Hempeler was born Jan. 25, 1925, the daughter of Arnold and Emma (Theodore) Stickfort, in Garnavillo, Iowa. She was baptized April 6, 1925, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Garnavillo. Lena grew up on a farm outside of Garnavillo, graduating from Garnavillo High School in 1942. She married Arlyn A. Hempeler on Sept. 4, 1943, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Independence.

They operated Rolling Prairie Guernsey Farm until 1983, when they retired to Garnavillo. Lena took an active part in the dairy operation and enjoyed many lifetime friendships with fellow Guernsey enthusiasts.

Lena made a home for her husband, Arlyn; her six children; and Arlyn's uncle, Louis, who lived with them for 29 years.

She was also an avid seamstress, enjoyed gardening, her flower beds and made many quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lena always enjoyed the fun of being a twin sister to Tina - they participated in the Twin O Rama for many years winning the “Least Look Alike” and “Oldest Twins” categories.

Lena was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Garnavillo. She served as a Sunday school teacher, was active in the Women of the Church, enjoyed participating in Sew Day and was on the church Quilt Committee.

Lena is survived by her daughters, Arlene Ries, Rock Island, Ill., Audrey (Russell) Haught, Iowa City, Annette (Daniel) Walther, Garnavillo; a son-in-law, Roger (Ardith) Anderegg, Guttenberg; seven grandchildren, Mark Anderegg, Donna Schuster, Toni Hoth-Wilkie, Neil Hoth, Jillian Walther, Jordan Walther and Jaaron Walther; three great-grandchildren, Collin and Connor Schuster and Lily Wilkie; her twin sister, Christina (Virgil) Niehaus, Guttenberg; and sisters, Ivanelle Schlake, Farmersburg, and Leona Schroeder, Guttenberg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arlyn on Jan. 16, 1993; her two sons, Aaron on Nov. 4, 1965, and Allen on June 26, 1983; her daughter, Ardith Anderegg on June14, 2007; her brother, Earl Stickfort; and her sisters, Irma Blume, Fern Terveen and Mary Stickfort in infancy and Louis Hempeler.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Garnavillo, with the Rev. Hillary Burns-kite officiating. Interment will be at Garnavillo Community Cemetery in Garnavillo. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 001 S. Industrial Park Rd., Garnavillo.

In lieu of flowers and all styles of sympathy, memorials are preferred to be sent to the Garnavillo Library, Garnavillo First Responders or the Garnavillo Fire Department.

Condolences may be left at

Published Nov. 14, 2011, in The Gazette