Lela Heffernan

Lela Mae (Nauroth) Heffernan was born May 30, 1918, to William and Theresa Ann (Feser) Nauroth in Earling, Iowa. As a small child Lela lived with her family on a ranch in Colorado before returning to Iowa and living in Dunlap. She attended country school, and then she started working in Omaha in the early 40s. On June 29, 1946 Lela married Danny Heffernan and the couple lived in the Dunlap area. Lela was a homemaker and lived on an acreage east of Dunlap until the couple moved to town in 1987. Danny died on March 29, 2000.

Lela was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She loved watching basketball and baseball. She also enjoyed reading and horses. Lela was the family caretaker. She took care of the family after her mother's death. She also had to leave her job in Omaha and return to Dunlap to help care for her younger brother.

Lela died on Monday, March 16, 2009, at the Crawford County Hospital in Denison, Iowa at the age of 90 years, nine months, and 16 days.

Lela was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Daniel Heffernan; five brothers, infant Jerry, Elmer, Frank, Herb and Howard Nauroth and an infant sister. She is survived by her four daughters, Diane Bremser of Dow City, Iowa, Mary Elliott of Denison, Iowa, Pat Cook of Logan, Iowa and Kathy and her husband Ron Tremel of Earling, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; three brothers, Ray Nauroth of Dunlap, Iowa, Bill Nauroth and his wife Donna of Fort Collins, Colorado and Bob Nauroth and his wife Bev of Dunlap, Iowa; one sister, Alvina O'Connor of Dunlap, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.