Cora Laird

Cora C. Laird, died on May 6, 2015 at the age of 88 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was born on May 3, 1927 in Clinton, Iowa. She was educated in State Center, Iowa, received an Art degree in 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. She also designed newspaper ads for many companies including Nieman Marcus. She also worked for Nobility Silver company and RJ Donnelly. In the 50s, 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 Lillians, Gates Department Store, Barkers Shoe Store, and Bloomquist music store which were all in Fort Dodge. She loved to entertain, playing the organ at many clubs as well as giving lessons at her studio. In September of 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-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in by her loving adopted parents, Adolph and Emma Papenberg; her oldest daughter, Benita Mercier; her youngest daughter, Lynnelle Phillips; and a half-brother, Martin Rosenthal. Funeral Service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be in State Center, Iowa.