White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Louise E. McFarlane, 88 years old, of Waterloo, Iowa, formerly of Independence, Iowa, died on Sunday, August 7, 2011, at the LaPorte City Nursing and Rehab Center in LaPorte City, Iowa.  She was born on March 1, 1923, in Readlyn, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Frederick and Wilhelmina (Johlis) Leistikow.  She attended school in Oelwein, Iowa.  On May 29, 1943, she and Donald LaVern McFarlane were married at the court house in Waukon, Iowa.  He preceded her in death in 1964.  Before she retired in 1971, Mrs. McFarlane was a psychiatric aide at the Mental Health Institute in Independence for 15 years.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Mrs. McFarlane is survived by 1 son, Arnold McFarlane of Oelwein, Iowa, 4 daughters, Ann Lafler of Marion, Iowa, Marian (Daniel) O’Brien of Houston, Texas, Barbara (Willie) Weber of Hazleton, Iowa, and Brenda (Harlan) Peterson of Waterloo, Iowa.  She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and 1 daughter-in-law, Elaine McFarlane of Santa Rosa, California.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sons, Jerry McFarlane and infants, Frank and Tommy Joe, 2 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 grandson, and 1 great grandson.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Rick Lafler, Dan McFarlane, Terry Mendenhall, Mickey Peterson, Justin McFarlane, and Steve McFarlane.  Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery in Independence.

Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.