Our History

Conrad Laufersweiler was born in Doerrebach, Prussia, near the Rhine River. As a young man, he emigrated to the United States. He lived in Ohio for a short time, but then made his way west and traveled up the Des Moines River to Fort Dodge. He was a pioneer in Fort Dodge and opened a funeral home business in 1856, which is still in operation today. One year later, Laufersweiler opened the first furniture store in Fort Dodge. He made his furniture out of black walnut, trees that are still found in abundance in the Fort Dodge area. The furniture business and funeral business were located in the same buildings, however, it was one of Conrad Laufersweiler's principles in business to keep them separated, because he wanted to "keep from the public anything that might resurrect unpleasant memories".

At the beginning of the Great Depression, Laufersweiler closed his furniture business and focused on managing his funeral home. The Laufersweiler Funeral Home has been part of the Fort Dodge community for over 168 years and is now a fifth-generation business that has served thousands of families.

Conrad and his wife were the parents of eight children, seven of whom lived to adulthood. Their daughter, Mary Laufersweiler, married August Hilton in Webster, Iowa, in 1885. Mary and August's son, Conrad Hilton, became the developer and owner of the Hilton Hotel chain. Mary Laufersweiler Hilton had a strong influence on her son, helping him develop high moral values, honesty, and a strong work ethic. Conrad Hilton visited Fort Dodge and was the speaker at the Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Anniversary Banquet on December 4, 1952, at the Hotel Warden.

Conrad Laufersweiler died on April 22, 1903, and was buried in Corpus Christi Cemetery in Fort Dodge. His son Charles Laufersweiler became the second generation, followed by his son Welch Laufersweiler as the third. Welch passed away in 1985. Joe Laufersweiler purchased the funeral home from his father, Welch, in 1979. Joe represented the fourth generation of the Laufersweiler family to serve the Fort Dodge community.

In 1994, the firm had the opportunity to merge with Ned Palmer, who operated funeral homes in Gowrie and Rockwell City, Iowa. The Palmer family, a three-generation funeral service family, enhanced the partnership with additional tradition and knowledge. Now with three funeral home locations, Dave Swank joined as a partner in 1995. Each partner has contributed to the overall success of the firm. These funeral homes exemplify what can happen when the strength of long-standing tradition is combined with modern innovation and the collaboration of a strong team.

Mark Laufersweiler, nephew of Joe Laufersweiler, graduated from mortuary school in 1996 and returned to join the business as the fifth generation. His younger brother, Luke Laufersweiler, attended Kansas City Kansas Mortuary School and joined the firm in 1998. Joe passed away in January 2018. The firm is currently owned by Mark and Luke Laufersweiler—the fifth generation to serve families in the area, each with over 30 years of experience.