Carla Rae Laiben

Carla Rae Laiben of Ironton, MO, entered into rest on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 68 years and 7 days. She was born February 25, 1956 in St. Louis, MO, to the late Luther Carl and Essie Rae (Knuckles) Radford. On October 2, 1988, Carla was united in marriage to David Randolph “Randy” Laiben who survives. Also surviving Carla are her son Koby Radford of Herculaneum, MO, her step-daughter Angela Laiben of Festus, MO, three grandchildren, Mason, Ksiah, and Bishop; two brothers, Randall Radford and wife Patti of Festus, MO, and Rudy Radford and wife Julia of Barnhart, MO, a brother-in-law Gregg Laiben and wife Dana of Kansas City, MO, and many more loving family members and friends. Carla is preceded in rest by her parents, a step-son Jacob Laiben, and a brother Larry Joe Radford. For many years Carla has been an artist in many different ways; she loved to paint and create/design sculptures, she played music on her fiddle, she loved to sing (just not in public), and planting and tending to her beautiful flower garden. She had a personality as beautiful as her flower garden and as bright as her paintings which was obvious for those who knew and loved her. She had a great and wonderful sense of humor; she was always the “life of the party” when she was with friends and family, and she was a bubbly and loving person. She also loved to take care and feed stray pets. She was known to feed all the stray and lost pets which entered her yard. A lot can be said about those who care for the animals who are lost, alone and scared. She also was a past member of the Historical Society and Genealogy Society, and enjoyed learning about the past, hers and that of others. Carla Rae Laiben will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love her. A Visitation for friends to gather will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, beginning at 5:00 pm and lasting until 8:00 pm from the Cole Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am from the Cole Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow the services in the Arcadia Valley Memorial Park. Roxanne Lanfersieck will be officiating the services. In lieu of flower, donations and memorials may be made to the Ironton Animal Shelter or any animal shelter in Carla’s honor. For the Ironton Animal Shelter, please make checks payable to the City of Ironton, and put animal shelter in the memo line. Their address is 123 N. Main St. Ironton, MO 63650.

Carla Rae Laiben

February 25, 1956 - March 3, 2024