Laura "Laurie" Bublitz

Laura Jean Nack Bublitz, age 86, of Grafton, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with her loving family by her side. Laura was born on December 30, 1938, in New Hampton, Iowa, Chickasaw Township. Laura was the youngest of five children, born to John Oliver and Alice Janet (Vigdal) Knutson of Jerico, Iowa. She had three brothers, Orvin, Juel and Karsten, and one sister Edna. Laura became a child of God through baptism and confirmation at Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Jerico, Iowa. Laura lost her mother when she was almost 3 years old to a car/train accident. Her maternal grandmother, who was widowed, came to live with her dad to help raise Laura and Karsten. Her grandmother passed away when Laura was in eighth grade.

Laura attended first grade at country school. By second grade their church started a parochial school next to the church. She went there through eighth grade. Then, onto high school in New Hampton, Iowa, where she graduated. Her girlhood years were spent growing up on the family farm southwest of Jerico. When her birthday came around there was always a large gathering of family. She loved helping her dad with farm chores and spent every possible minute she could with him. She learned to drive the tractor and would help with haying, milking cows, and threshing. Her grandma had a large garden, and Laura would help with the canning of many items.

Laura was united in marriage to Robert L. Duvall, and to this union three children were born; James, Margorie, and John. She worked in health care most of her life until she remarried Robert E. Nack on December 17, 1973, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, Iowa. To this union one child was born, Daniel. Laura then became a farmer’s wife. Working in the field, hauling corn, and the many jobs (too many to mention) that come along with being a farm wife. Along with their farming operation, Bob and Laurie operated Nack Agri-Mart where they sold MC grain dryers and sold and built MFS bins. The people of Grafton called her Laurie and that’s what stuck. The farm was called Neverest Acres-OF COURSE!

Robert E. Nack passed away May 2, 1993. Laurie then attended NIACC to get her degree in nursing and worked at Mercy Hospital. In May of 1997 she married Darrell Bublitz. Their union was short as Darrell passed away September 29, 1999, after a battle with cancer. In that short time, they made many cherished memories. Special trips to Australia and Alaska as well as many small outings. They loved spending time with family and friends. Faith, family, and friends were the center of her world. She had a true love of people. The gift to gab allowed her to make many friends wherever she went. Always thinking of others by her acts of kindness. Sending cards and letters kept her very busy and was one of her favorite things to do. She loved spending time with her family. The grandchildren always brought the biggest smile to her face. Grandma B they called her, she was an inspiration with her strong Christian faith and her positive attitude, so loving and kind, a great example to follow.

Laurie loved to camp, many memories were made at the Donnie and Wendy Thorson “resort.” She loved to bake and cook, the coffee pot was always ready, you could never leave her home without her serving you something delicious. She loved to go to concerts, play cards, and board games, and of course, feed the birds. She loved to be outside on the farm, especially mowing. When that was taken away due to her health problems it was very hard on her. She was a lifetime member of Worth County Historical Society, Red Hats, enjoyed volunteering at church, schools, nursing homes, and Hospice. Laurie was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, especially proud to be a cousin to Norman Borlaug, who received the "Nobel Peace Prize.” Laurie will be missed for her caretaking ways, her love for life, heartwarming laugh, and that twinkle of her beautiful blue eyes. She was a person everyone knew they could always count on to be there for them.

Those left to cherish Laura’s memory are her daughter; Margie Kline (Craig Zoellner) of St. Ansgar, IA; three sons, James (Sally) Duvall of Nisswa, MN, John (Sandi) Duvall of Grafton, IA, and Daniel Nack of Grafton, IA; one step-daughter, Rhonda Bublitz Williams of Redwing, MN; many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends, whose lives she touched deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John O. and Alice (Vigdal) Knutson; husbands, Robert E. Nack and Darrell Bublitz; three brothers, Orvin (Janet) Knutson, Juel (Marian) Knutson, Karsten (Helen) Knutson; sister, Edna (Virgil) Anderson; many special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; son-in-law, Jerry M. Kline; great-grandson, Kuper Dean Malmin; special friend, Dean Nack, and many extended family members and cherished friends.

A celebration of her wonderfully lived life will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, IA, with pastor W. Paul Weeg officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:30 a.m. to one half hour prior to the service at the church. Family suggests memorials be given to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton Cemetery Association, or of your choice.

Hoff Celebrations – Schroeder Chapel of St. Ansgar is assisting the family with arrangements.