Laura Jean Fields, 81, of Rogersville, Mo., died Feb. 7, 2015.
She was born on May 25, 1933, in Alton, the daughter of Henry R. Balster and his wife Laura J., nee Aljets.
Laura is survived by two daughters, Sally Arteaga of Rogersville, Mo., and Sara Denning (Michael), Chesapeake, Va; two brothers, Dr. Vernon H. Balster (Francis) of St. Louis and the Rev. Donald W. Balster (Marian) of Willowbrook, Ill.; sister, Carolyn Oakley (Howard) of Troy; and three grandchildren, Katherine Arteaga of Rogersville, Mo., and John and Lori Denning of Chesapeake, Va. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alton and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto.
Laura attended Moro Elementary School and Edwardsville High School in Illinois, and Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Lt. Col. Harry N. Fields. She was a homemaker and worked in the library at Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. She lived in various parts of the United States and overseas as the wife of a U.S. Air Force husband.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Bethalto with the Rev. Donald W. Balster officiating.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto is in charge of arrangements.