Laura Jean Graves Lefler Kruse, our beloved mother, born January 20th, 1924, passed peacefully into her eternal life Monday, July 28th, 2014. She was 90 years young.

Laura Jean, was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, neighbor, friend. She had a gift for making us feel loved. She enjoyed people and was a lifelong volunteer for a variety of causes. She was an entrepreneur, opening The Record Roost/Lefler’s Records, the first record stores in Sioux City, Iowa. She taught us all to dance in her Jean Graves Studio. Her passion for teaching dance continued throughout her life. In more recent years she taught senior citizens to tap dance at nursing homes and senior centers across Siouxland. Before Alzheimer's robbed her memory, she was witty, cheerful, loved to dance, and could tell a great joke. She taught us all the value of love and laughter.

Rest in peace, Mom. We will love you forever.

Laura Jean is survived by her husband - Charles Kruse; her children - Joanie Stephens, Willy (and Kaye) Lefler, Wally Lefler, Jackie (and John) McKeever, Jerry (and Beth) Lefler, Julie (and Dale) Benz, Cindy (and Harold) Janke; her daughter-in-law Kathy Lefler, her son in law Dennis Krier; 23 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great- grandchildren, her brother Bud Graves, many nieces and nephews, and a world of friends and former dance students.

She joins in heaven, her husband of 53 years, Wilbur Lefler, her daughter Mary, her son Mike and his wife Jazell, and her son David, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969, her son-in-law Bill Stephens, as well as two infant daughters, Laura Jean and Jeanie Rae.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 pm, Friday, August 1st at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City – 4125 Orleans Ave. Family will be present from 6 -8pm with a prayer service at 7pm.

Funeral services to be held at Waterbury Funeral Services of Sioux City at 10:30am Saturday, August 2nd. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.