Laura Gaibler

Laura Marie Gaibler, 79 of Farnam died on May 30, 2010 at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg, NE.

Laura Marie (Rieker) Gaibler was born March 13, 1931 to Herman Adolph Rieker and Marie Wilhelmina (Koch) Rieker at the home of her grandparents west of Eustis. In 1933, her family moved to Farnam where she grew up and attended Sunflower College to the 8th grade. Laura was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Eustis and was a lifelong member, serving on several committees. She graduated from Farnam Public School in May of 1948. After graduation, she taught school north of Gothenburg for one year.

She was united in marriage to Lester Elmer Gaibler on June 16, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis. Lester and Laura made their home on a farm west of Farnam until 1992 when they moved to their present home in Farnam. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in June of 2009.

Laura was a loving, kind and generous wife, mother and grandmother. She spent her life helping on the farm and volunteering within the community. Laura started her love of cake decorating when she made her grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary cake in 1961. She particularly enjoyed helping plan the wedding cakes and setting up receptions. Laura taught cake decorating to Home EC classes and one of those students has followed her footsteps. Laura also had a passion for crafts and painting.

Laura was a member of the HOP Extension Club for over 50 years. She became a member of the Farnam Rescue Squad in 1976 and taught CPR classes for 20 years. She received the Good Neighbor award in 1987 and became a Hospice volunteer in 1996. Laura also served on the Farnam Library board until January of 2010.

Survived by her husband, Lester Gaibler of Farnam, NE, son, Floyd (Salome) Gaibler of Great Falls, VA, daughter, Gwen (Rick) Kotschwar of Farnam, NE, granddaughter, Gretchin (John) Heckenlively of Elwood, NE grandson, Derek (Amanda) Kotschwar of Lincoln, NE, grandson, Christian Gaibler, granddaughter, Stephanie Gaibler, great-grandchildren, Mason and Elle Heckenlively of Elwood, NE and brother, Wayne (Joanne) Rieker of Grand Island, NE. She will be missed not only by family, but everyone she has touched in her life.