Laura B Heddens

Laura Bertha Heddens, 94, of Cedar Falls, died Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Center. She was born February 1, 1915 near Edgewood, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin F. and Anna M. (Von Talgue) Wessel. Laura attended a one-room rural school near her farm home. She had six brothers and seven sisters, and left the family farm at an early age to work and help support the family.

On October 3, 1937, she married Ralph R. Heddens at Parkersburg, Iowa. After a time farming, they made their home in Waterloo, moving in 1954 to Cedar Falls. Ralph was employed by John Deere, and Laura cooked for the Waterloo School System for twenty-five years, and later worked in retail sales.

Laura was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church of Cedar Falls, and spent many hours cooking for the Woman's Society. She and Ralph had a large garden, and supplied neighbors, friends and the church kitchen with vegetables, fruit, and baked goods on a regular basis. Laura enjoyed charity works, sports, cooking, canning, gardening, and especially family and friends.

Laura is survived by her son, Robert D. (Martha Keeney) Heddens, of Park City, Utah; two grandchildren, Richard L. (Katherine) Heddens of Park City, Utah and Kathryn (Tom) Cowburn of Powell, Ohio, and five great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at the Western Home Communities Chapel, Cedar Falls. Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Charles City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Western Home Communities. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.