Laird, Cora 88

Cora C. Laird

1927 – 2015 died at the age of 88.

In Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was

Born May 3, 1927 in Clinton, Iowa

She was educated in State Center,

Iowa, received an Art degree from

Minneapolis, Mn and attended the

Music Conservatory  in Marshalltown,

Iowa.

She moved to California to work in

the  Defense Industry during WWII,

where she met and married Raymond

Laird. After the war, they moved back

to Iowa. She was a commercial artist

and designed greeting cards for Hallmark,

Gibson and others. Also designed news-

paper ads for such companies as Nieman

Marcus. She for worked for Nobility

Silver company and RJ Donnelly.

In the 50’s she purchased a partnership

in a car dealership and moved to Humboldt,

Iowa and later purchased a Body shop

and towing company. 

In 1969, she moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa

after  she and Ray divorced. She worked at

Lillian’s, Gates Dept Store, Barkers Shoe

Store, Bloomquist music store all in Fort

Dodge. She loved to entertain playing the

organ at many clubs as well as gave lessons

at her studio.

In Sept. 2010, she moved to Cheyenne  to be

near her only remaining daughter, Rayette

Laird-Reece. She is also survived by 2 son-in-laws,

Russell Reece of Cheyenne and James Phillips

of Fort Dodge, Iowa, a half-sister, Dora Sheffler

of Erie, Illinois a half-brother Merl Rosenthal of

 Richland, Washington. Six Grandchildren, 11

Great-Grand Children, and 7 Great, Great- Grand

children. She was preceded in by her loving adopted

Parents, Adolph and Emma Papenberg, oldest

Daughter, Benita Mercier, youngest daughter,

Lynnelle Phillips, and a half brother, Martin

Rosenthal. Funeral Service will be held at Our

Savior Lutheran Church, 1:30 pm on May 16, 2015.

Interment will be in State Center, Iowa, at Hillside

Cemetery, May 20, 2015, at 2:00 pm.