Laura Lynn Garman

Laura Lynn Garman passed away September 28, 2016 peacefully at her home. She was born to Rosemary Hake and Charles Garman on January 13, 1959 in West Union, Iowa. Laura was an adventurist in every sense of the word. She loved to make memories through travel and personal experiences, that she could share with family, friends, and the occasional stranger who had the time. Her life experiences were told with a sort of exuberance that was unmatched even by some of history's most qualified novelists. Laura's outgoing personality commanded the room making it easy and comfortable for onlookers to participate with a smile. Laura loved to fish! This went hand in hand with her strong story tell-ing abilities. She was the self-proclaimed "best fisherman around", and had caught some MONSTERS along the way- always using just a worm. Her excitement, passion and knowledge of the sport made it hard for someone to second guess her "fishing tales". After all, a good fishing story should never be second guessed. The most important and enjoyable possessions in Laura's life were her family. Later in life she enjoyed taking in and enjoying the simple things. The things she may have missed while embarking on the shaping of her own life. She loved to sit and listen to her family’s experiences and stories while playing a role in them whenever the opportunity presented itself. A trip of a lifetime now was getting in a packed car and heading to the University of Arkansas for a nephew’s baseball game, or down to Georgia to visit loved ones. She wanted to see the impact her love had made on her family, and it was/is enormous. I guess it can be said that the evolution of someone's life is always going to be different than that of the person next to you. There are many contributing factors, outlooks and theories, but Laura focused on four simple words. She thought that life should be meaningful, helpful, enjoyed and shared. Never to be confused with being understood. This was Laura Lynn Garman and we loved every ounce of that about her. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Don and Vivian Loftus; Eugene and Grace Garman; and stepmother, Roberta Garman. Laura is survived by her mother, Rosemary and Richard Hake; father, Charles Garman; brothers, Brett Garman, Todd Garman and Michael Hake; sister, Shelly and Todd McKinney; nieces, Sara Garman, Kara and Adam Waldorf; nephews, Kalvin and Tessa Johnson, Keaton McKinney; great niece, Addison Waldorf and great nephew, Kade Waldorf. A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa. Friends may greet family for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. In loving memory of Laura and her love for animals, please donate to your favorite Animal Shelter.

Laura Lynn Garman

January 13, 1959 - September 28, 2016