Laura Zeff

Born: August 17, 1960 - Marshfield, Missouri Died: November 7, 2017 - Fordland, Missouri Laura Marie Zeff, affectionately called Marie by her family, was born in Marshfield, Missouri but spent her childhood in O'Fallon, Illinois with her Dad, Les Schau and her Mother, Lela Schau A few years later Laura became a big sister to her brother Randy Schau. She was always on the lookout to keep him out of trouble. In later years Laura and Randy lived many miles apart but maintained a close relationship. Some of the greatest memories of Laura's childhood was of her many summers spent in Fordland, Missouri with the Aunts, Uncles and cousins of her Stone family. After graduating from O'Fallon High School Laura began her over 30 year long medical career by working as a Heart Monitor tech. Laura met and married David Klingelhofer. Having a desire to add to their family, Laura and David adopted a baby girl named Anna Marie and later a baby girl named Abbey Lorraine. Even with the busy life of being a mother to 2 girls, Laura started college to realize her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. After Laura and David parted ways she continued her roles as both Mom and hard working Nurse. She married again in 1999 to Daniel Zeff. 2 years later Laura's family was complete with the birth of her daughter Audra Nicole. Laura loved her Nursing career to the fullest. She worked in hospitals in Illinois, Washington and Arkansas but in 2008 her career was stopped abruptly when she suffered 3 major strokes. It was then Laura's desire to retire and return to her beloved Fordland, Missouri. She loved her life at her country home. She took great care of the land and loved her animals - which included dogs, cats, turkeys, chickens, bird watching and even a bull. She was known as the "Pumpkin Lady" by her neighbors because every Halloween she covered her porch and yard with pumpkins so she could give them away. After years of declining health, Laura passed away in the home she loved. She will be missed by many as she became a good friend to the people of Fordland. Left behind to cherish her memory is her Mother. Lela Schau of Illinois; her brother, Randy Schau of Illinois; her 3 daughters Anna Knowles of Little Rock, Arkansas; Abbey Krause of Springfield, Missouri and Audra Zeff of Fordland, Missouri. She also left behind 2 bright lights in her life - a grandson Noah Weston of Kansas and a granddaughter Shelby Krause of Springfield, Missouri. A private family Memorial service is planned for December.