Lorie Chekal

Lorie Anne Chekal, 40, of Belle Plaine, died Wednesday December 5 in her husband's arms after a courageous life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. Funeral Mass will be today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belle Plaine with Fr. Mike Mescher officiating. The burial service will follow at Koszta Cemetery.
A visitation will be Friday from 3 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 6:30 at Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.
Survivors include her loving husband, John of 18 years and son Rex; parents Roger and Kathy (Frese) DeMeulenaere; grandparents Margaret DeMeulenaere and Betty Frese; brothers Doug (Amy) and Dale (Marcy) DeMeulenaere; sisters Julie (Danny) Cavin and Tamie (Demone) Square; sisters-in-law Vicki (Rod) Blount, Kathy (Jr.) Martin and Tina Chekal; nieces Jenny, Katy, Kim, Lauren, Drucila, Anna, Kadynce; Nephews Charlie, Josh, Tyler, Dererk, Devyn, Luke, Ben and Sam; and four great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her brother Peter, grandfathers Franklin Frese and Charles DeMeulenaere, father-in-law John Chekal; mother-in-law Irene Chekal; and brother-in-law Jody Chekal.
Lorie was born March 29, 1967 in Cedar Rapids, Ia. She attended HLV schools in Victor and later obtained an associates degree in early-childhood development. Lorie married John Chekal on Sept. 2, 1989 in Belle Plaine. She worked beside her husband at their family business East Side Body Shop.
She will be remembered for always being there and taking care of her family and having a courageous and loving heart. Her strength and endurance was an inspiration to everyone she touched. Her family mattered most to her and she loved spending time with her son and numerous nieces and nephews, summers by the pool and traveling with her family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com under "obituaries."