Mary Leverna Kiefer

Mary LaVerna “Pumpkin Lady” Kiefer, age 99, of Waterloo, died Thursday December 26, 2019 at Rosewood Estate.

She was born August 23, 1920 in Montezuma, Iowa, the daughter of Dewey D. and Alma Elmira (Johnson) Butler. Mary attended Montezuma High School and Pitze’s School of Beauty. She was united in marriage with Robert E. Kiefer on August 4, 1947 in Grundy Center, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 26, 1995.

Mary was a beautician at Pitze’s School of Beauty for about 13 years and then was a homemaker and raised her family. She and Robert established Kiefer’s Pumpkin Patch in Waterloo in the early 1960’s. She was a member of the former Bethel Presbyterian Church, now known as Unity Presbyterian Church in Waterloo and was very involved in church activities and taught Sunday school. Mary was a hard-working, spunky lady who wanted to keep busy. She spent many hours working in the family greenhouse and enjoyed spending time with her family, puzzles, eating Sunday brunch and animals of all kinds.

Survivors include her daughter, Reta (John) Humpal, and a son, Rick (Julie) Kiefer, all of Waterloo; 3 grandchildren, Jesse J. (Sheri) Taylor, James (Megan) Humpal and Amanda (Brandon) Trebon and 4 great grandchildren, Wade and Marissa Sigl; Madilynne and Kolten Trebon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Roy and Donald Butler; and a sister, Dixie Keenan.