Aleta Mae Lawfer finished doing God's work on earth on March 9, 2025 at the age of 90.  Born on October 7, 1934 to Albert and Martha (Kennedy) Fehrle, she grew up and attended rural schools in Massbach before graduating from Stockton High School. She often spoke of her time on her childhood farm full of friends, family, music and barn dances, a lot of love, and a good deal of work.

She married her love and partner in life I. Donald Lawfer on June 26, 1955.  Together they traveled as his duty in the U.S. Air Force required and eventually moved home to the family farm in Kent, IL.  There they raised their family while building a dairy farm that taught many life lessons and the importance of agriculture. The farm was always the backdrop for escapades with cousins and friends with Aleta making meals, keeping everyone in line, and tending to each scraped knee.  She taught kids and grandkids how to feed calves, sew, play piano, bake, and become the best version of themselves.

Aleta Mae was an involved member of Christ Lutheran Church participating in choir, altar guild, women's circle, WELCA, quilting club, and hosting special events. She was active in the University of Illinois Extension, Farm Bureau Women, 4-H Clubs, and community choirs. She also spent many fun-filled days playing euchre and Rummikub with family and friends.

She showed her family how to serve others, work hard, put family first, trust in the Lord, and give praise for the blessings we have every day. She led by example with joy in each act of service showing that living in this manner was not only a choice, but a privilege and a way of life.  Her greatest accomplishment was building a loving family that spans generations, distance, and interests.  Large holiday gatherings were a highlight and always entertaining.

Those who preceded her in entering God's promised kingdom were her mother and father, husband Don, two brothers Raymond and Charles, sister-in-law Sally Fehrle, brother-in-law I. Ronald Lawfer, son-in-law Mark Anderson, and granddaughter LaRena Anderson.

Aleta is survived by her sons Curt (Penny) Lawfer and Karl (Lori) Lawfer, and daughters Luralee Anderson and Peggy (Greg) Harmston; grandchildren Nicole (Cory) Haas, Jenna (Michael) Piche, Takara (Jonathan) Speagle, Kelsey (Seth) Rooker, Alayna Anderson, Jaclyn (Ben) Deig, Ty (Miranda) Harmston, Jacob Lawfer, Jill (Wyatt Hill) Harmston, and Case Harmston; great grandchildren Elijah and Weston Haas, Owen and Callen Piche, Layla, Miley and Jett Rooker, Lurayna and Anderlee Speagle, Leo Deig, and Ila Mae Harmston; and sister-in-law Pat Lawfer. She also played an important maternal role to nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22nd at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton, Illinois.  The funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Stockton. Interment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton.