Joseph M. Laufersweiler

Joseph M. Laufersweiler, 65, of Fort Dodge passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 after a sudden illness in Iowa City at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and then a Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Patrick Behm officiating. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Joseph Michael Laufersweiler was born August 26, 1952 to Welch and Dorothy (Fortune) Laufersweiler in Fort Dodge. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Saint Edmond High School in 1970. Joe first attended Iowa Central Community College and later received his degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. In 1979, Joe purchased the funeral home from his father and became the fourth generation Laufersweiler to own and operate Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home in partnership with Harlow Sievers. On February 25, 1989, Joe was united in marriage to Carol Fisher at Sacred Heart Church. In 1991, their daughter, Sarah was born. She was Joe's pride and joy. Joe never forgot a name. Every hand he shook or hug he gave was genuine. He was a pillar in his industry and a pillar in the Fort Dodge community. He was a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Morning Daybreak Rotary, Moose Lodge #806, and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Joe was also a past board member of the Marian Home and the Red Cross. He loved fishing together with his wife Carol. He would spend hours polishing his boat for fishing trips with Carol and his close buddies. Joe the funeral director, fisherman, friend, father, and Joe the husband will be deeply missed. Joe is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Sarah of Milwaukee, WI; siblings, Ann (James) Tornabane of Urbandale; Thomas (Terri); John; Sue Laufersweiler all of Fort Dodge; Jean Fortune of Mankato, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark, at the age of 17. Joe truly believed in supporting charities amongst our community. Therefore, in lieu of flowers or plants, you might consider making a contribution to your favorite charity in Joe's name.