Laura Lea Hegwald, Yates Center, Kansas, died on Wednesday morning, February 12, 2020, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident two miles south of Yates Center. She was 48 years old.

Laura was born July 17, 1971, in Chanute, Kansas, the daughter of Gary Rhea and Connie Jo (Kester) Morrison. Laura spent her entire life in Yates Center and graduated from Yates Center High School in 1990. She then earned an Associate Degree in Graphic Arts from Labette County Community College. She was employed at Tramec LLC in Iola, Kansas and later at Kustom Signals in Chanute, Kansas. She was employed in the Woodson County Clerk's office for a while before returning to Kustom Signals where she was currently employed as an Engineering Document Control Specialist. She had also worked as an EMT for Woodson County.

On June 3, 2000, she and Randy Hegwald were married. They became the parents of two children, Melanie and Caleb. They were later divorced.

Laura was a member of the First Baptist Church in Yates Center.

She leaves her children, Melanie and Caleb Hegwald, of Yates Center, on which her life was centered on; her parents, Gary and Connie Morrison, of Yates Center; two brothers, Trent Morrison of Yates Center, and Travis Morrison and wife Rachel of Mesa, Arizona; her grandmother, Norma Kester, of Yates Center; a niece, Alexis Barker and fiancé Gage Clark, of Chanute, KS; a special Aunt and Uncle, Deb and Robert Burke, of Yates Center and their daughter, Jolea Burke; many other relatives and friends.

Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 17, 2020, at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center.

The family will meet with friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Saturday, February 15, at Campbell Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to ACARF (Allen County Animal Rescue Facility) and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.