Laura Irene DeHaven, 98, formerly of the Quad-Cities, passed away at 8:30 p.m., on April 16, 2013, in LaHarpe, IL.

Friends may call after 3:00PM Friday, April 19, 2013 where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00PM at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe, IL. Eastern Star rites will be held at 6:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. The funeral will be at the funeral home at 10:00AM Saturday, April 20, 2013 with Nate McCarter officiating. Graveside service will be held at Greenview Memorial Gardens in Silvis, IL, at 2:00PM Saturday. Memorials can be made to the LaHarpe Christian Church or LaHarpe Senior Citizens.

Laura was born on Nov. 6, 1914, in Owen, WI, the daughter of Claus and Anna (Thornbloom) Hagberg. She married James Bell on Dec. 21, 1949, and he died in 1958. She married Eldred DeHaven on Nov. 17, 1971, and he died in 1980.

She was an amazing woman and lived a life that we all hope to have. Her love extended to many people, both young and old. She was a mentor to many and her generosity knew no end, a true example of Christian love. She will be missed by family and friends.
Laura was an early pioneer and trailblazer for women in business. She was the manager of several restaurants in the Quad-City Area and an excellent cook: The Svea Caf in Moline, Lauras Caf near Palmer College in Davenport, Harlans Restaurant in Davenport, The Eagle Lunch and Eagle Diner in Moline, and The 5th Avenue Grill in Moline. In several of these businesses, she was involved in partnerships with her brothers and mother. Her mother, Anna, was the inventor of the Swedish Pancake (license sold to IHOP in 1940). Starting in 1967, Laura and LaVonne Newburg opened LaVonne and Lauras Antiques in Buffalo, IA.
After her retirement in 1975, she managed the meal site at the First Congregational Church in Moline for several years. In 1978, she relocated to LaHarpe, IL, with her husband, where she served in the kitchen at the LaHarpe Senior Citizen Center and played in the Kitchen Band. Laura was also a member of the LaHarpe Christian Church and the Eastern Star Womens Club.

Lauras main passion was in letter writing and correspondence with family and friends. In her writings, she always expressed warmth and love for everyone. In 1986, she travelled to Sweden with her brother, Harlan, and other family members to visit their cousins. A strong lasting bond was created between the Swedish and American families.

Laura is survived by her brother Harlan (Shirley) Hagberg, Brandon, FL; nieces and nephews, Lorraine Carsell, Silvis; Sonny Hagberg, Macomb; Darrel (Betty) Hagberg, Moline; Laura Turley, McHenry; Danny (Kelly) Hagberg, Wapello, IA; Dianna Hagberg (Dr. Mark) Miller, Lexington, KY; Carol Watson, Macomb; Nancy DeHaven, Iowa; great nieces and nephews, Carol Ann (Marc) Gellerman, Bettendorf; Tracy (Robert) Wylers, Rock Island; John (Debby) Carsell, East Moline; Darla (Chad) Jones, Rock Island; Kristin and Allie Hagberg, Wapello, IA; Lauren and Karah Miller, Lexington, KY; and many other nieces , nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands and her brothers, Engner, Edwin, Raymond, and Clifford Hagberg.

The family expresses thanks to her friends and to the employees at the Davier Health Care Center in LaHarpe and the Hospice Compassus Organization in Galesburg.