Laura Schlafman, age 88 of Turtle Lake, ND, died Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at a Bismarck hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, July 30th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake with Pastor Betty J. Stedman officiating. Burial will follow at the Turtle Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday at Goetz Funeral Home in Turtle Lake with a 7:30 PM family service.

Laura Mae was born September 24, 1923 in Turtle Lake, ND to John & Francis (Bryson) Reiser. She attended rural school near Turtle Lake. Laura married John Schlafman on July 28, 1945 in Mercer, ND. They farmed and ranched southwest of McClusky. In 1961, they moved to Mercer where they owned and operated John’s Standard station and Highway Café. They moved to Turtle Lake in 1967. Laura was employed with the Community Memorial Hospital working in the laundry department for ten years. John passed away in January 2001 from pancreatic cancer. In 2004, Laura became a resident of the Community Memorial Hospital swing-bed unit where her favorite activity was playing bingo. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and reading. She was known for her beautifully crafted quilts. Laura also enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by three children, Melvin (Shirley) Schlafman of Beulah, ND, Elaine Wahl, & Linda (Stanley) Harr, both of Turtle Lake; 8 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, 11 great grandchildren, 7 step-great grandchildren, & 1 step-great great grandchild; one brother, Earl Reiser of Coeur d’Alene, ID; five sisters-in-law, Noma Reiser of Colorado, Darlene Sahr of Watford City, Nan Schlafman of Mandan, Martha Schlafman of Jamestown, & Marilyn Schlafman of Arizona.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband (John), one son (Loren), & one infant grandson.