Laura Lea Ruhnke

Laura Ruhnke died Thursday, 11 July 2024, at her assisted living apartment in Florissant, MO. Laura Lea

was born in Eldora, IA on 23 March 1941 to Harold Leroy and Helen Mina (Ziesman) Cable. She grew up

on a farm west of Eldora, attending school in town. After graduation she attended college for a semester

before marrying.

Laura married William Paul Ruhnke on 7 February 1960. They had two children, Charm Naomi and Christopher Thomas.

After marrying Bill Ruhnke, they lived in Eldora before moving to Des Moines and then Florissant, a

suburb of St. Louis, MO.

Laura volunteered as room mother and school nurse’s aide. She was very active in the church (Lu-

theran Church of the Atonement) – making Quickie Quilts, Ladies Guild, sewing altar linens and various banners, needlepointing altar kneelers and participat-

ing in numerous study groups. Laura handmade crafts for Guild’s annual Christmas bazaar, the family favorite

were the strawberries which entertained toddlers and cats of all ages. For approximately 30 years she sang in

the adult choir. She was also a Stephen Minister.

For the majority of her life she made all her clothing, also sewing for Bill (those 1970’s leisure suits were something to see) and others. She loved making Bar-

bie clothes for her sister-in-law and later Charm. A voracious reader and active library user, Laura taught her children to love reading. She traveled a lot, her suitcase

stayed in the bedroom for those quick trips.

Laura is survived by Charm, daughter, and Daniel Ruhnke, grandson, Ann Roll and Neva Granzow, sisters, Mary Peet, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

Bill preceded her in 2020 and Chris in 2022.

Laura was cremated and her ashes will be buried with Bill and Chris at a later date in the Eldora City

Cemetery