Kathleen Habel

Kathleen C. Habel, 87, of North Buena Vista, Iowa, died Monday, March 31, 2014, at Guttenberg Care Center, Guttenberg. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, at Kramer Funeral Home in Holy Cross. Friends may continue to call after 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2014 at North Buena Vista Hall, prior to the funeral mass. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, North Buena Vista with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Marvin Bries will officiate. Kathleen was born February 15, 1927, in North Buena Vista the daughter of John and Rose (Bakula) Hefel. She married Bennett J. Habel on Oct. 15, 1947, in North Buena Vista, a marriage that lasted over 66 years. Together they farmed on the family farm near North Buena Vista for most of their lives. Kay had a gift for quilting, which she enjoyed with the ladies of the Immaculate Conception Parish. She loved music, often singing while Benny played his accordion. She also sang with the Hefel Sisters on many occasions. She enjoyed playing Euchre, gardening, fishing on the mighty Mississippi or at the pond, and spending time with her family. Survivors include her two daughters: Cheryl Urbalejo of Guttenberg and Deb (Spider) Koetz of North Buena Vista, 10 grandchildren: John, Michael and Dustin (Jen) Urbalejo, Kelli Habel, Kim (Jacob) Breitbach, Kristine Habel, Ann Marie Habel, Randy (Norma) Koetz, Russell (Hillary) Koetz, Rhonda (Matt) Hefel; 12 great grandchilden: Hunter and Paige Koetz, Kayla and Madalyn Breitbach, Evan, Alexys and Madden Urbalejo, Evelyn and Brooke Koetz, Jorgie, Gretta and Markie Hefel; 4 sisters-in-law: Joanne Hefel and Stella Hefel, both of North Buena Vista, Stella McDermott of Benton, WI and Darlene (Loras) Clemen of Dubuque. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bennett in January 2014, two sons: Randy Habel in 1972, and John "Jack" Habel in 2013; one grandson, Jeremy Habel in 1999, siblings: Milton Hefel, John "Bud" (Florence) Hefel, Matt Hefel, Marie (Adolph) Gansemer, Loretta (Lawrence) Decker, Edith (Clarence) Gloeckner, Alvina (Cyril)Gassmann, Edwina (Clarence) Schmitt, Josephine (Harold) Heiderscheit, Eleanor (Charles) Cook and Arlene Hefel; in-laws: Rose Habel, Cyril (Florence) Habel and James "Bert" McDermott. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.