Fredsville Lutheran Church Cemetery Headstones Vandalized [Photos]

Somebody's idea of a "foolish prank" turned out to be a "cruel joke" for many Iowan's with loved ones buried in a rural northeast Iowa church cemetery.

Vandalizing a cemetery - leaves you wondering - "What's wrong with people"?

Vandals we're on the warpath on the 4th of July (presumed in the late night or early morning hours) destroying headstones at the Fredsville Evangelical Lutheran Church located northeast of Dike, in the unincorporated community in Grundy County, about 9 miles west of Cedar Falls, on 150th Street.

The church cemetery suffered significant damage on Sunday night to more than 30 headstones.  Pastor Lisa Dietrich estimates that the damage is well into the tens of thousands.

Several posts on the popular app "Snapchat" confirm that there was a large party held nearby the cemetery on Sunday night. It's too early into the investigation to know if the vandals were at the party.

According to Iowa code, the culprits would be subject to a Class “C” felony, which is punishable by a prison term of up to ten years and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000. The judge could also order the offenders to pay restitution for the replacement or repair of the headstones.

Several people on the church's Facebook page accurately described the vandalism as heartbreaking, sickening, disrespectful, disgraceful, and appalling behavior. They ask that those who are coming to the cemetery to see the damage or to see if their relative's stone was damaged to NOT move or touch any of the gravestones. As they are waiting for the insurance company to take pictures and assess the damage.

Click on the "see more"  link below for a list of gravestones that were damaged

Anyone with information regarding the vandalism should contact the Grundy County Sheriff's office via email at inform@grundycountyiowa.gov or call (319) 824-6933.

Scroll down for a photo gallery of some of the damaged headstones