Funeral services for Loretta Lea Laffere, 81, of Deanville were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville with Rev. Terry Moon and Rev. Terry Bage officiating. Burial followed at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2019, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell. Mrs. Laffere died on Friday, June 28, 2019, at Scott & White Healthcare in Temple. Loretta was born on Sept. 5, 1937, in Chriesman to William J. and Lydia Marie (Hejtmancik) Ripple. On June 3, 1956, she married Marvin W. Laffere in Dime Box, a union that was to last more than 63 years. For about 13 years, she was employed by Citizens State Bank at the Deanville branch as a teller. Loretta was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served in many capacities there, including teaching Sunday school, serving in the church kitchen and ladies church officer.
As a member of the Deanville Volunteer Fire Department, she could always be found working in the “sweet shop” or serving line in their fund-raising efforts. She had a true servant’s heart and cared deeply for others joyfully, family members said. Cooking, baking, gardening, and sewing were among her many talents. She was an amazing and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, William C. Ripple and Larry Lee Ripple; and her sisters, Jean Valigura, Earlene Kiel, and Joyce Brinkman. Loretta is survived by her husband, Marvin W. Laffere of Deanville; her daughter and son-in-law, Bridget and Joseph Ofczarzak of Caldwell; her granddaughters, Alyssa Melson and husband Mark, and Ashlee Telschow and husband Brandon, all of Caldwell; her great-grandchildren, Aiden Melson, Aubrey Melson, Jolee Telschow, Jesee Telschow, and Jet Telschow; and numerous other relatives and many friends. Pallbearers were Douglas Brinkman, Keith Brinkman, Les Swick, Larry Blum, Rick McGinnis, and John Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Sunday school. Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home of Caldwell.