WENTWORTH, Laydon S., Dr. 1908-2004

LEAMAN, WENTWORTH, KLEINWORT, LAYDON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/17/2009 at 17:23:27

DR. L.S. WENTWORTH

MARBLE ROCK, IOWA — Memorial Masonic services for Dr. L. S. Wentworth, longtime Marble Rock physician, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Marble Rock Community Center, conducted by Tom Eggleston, PWGM Grand Lodge of Iowa A. F. & A. M., asssisted by members of Cornerstone Lodge 251 A. F. & A. M. of Marble Rock.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Dr. L. S. Wentworth Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Laydon S. Wentworth was born July 11, 1908, on a farm near Plainfield, the only child of Fred and Mary Laydon Wentworth, and died Wednesday (May 5, 2004) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The family moved to Nashua, where he attended school and graduated from the Nashua High School in 1925. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1931 and served three years’ internship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

On July 30, 1929, he was married to Charlotte Kleinwort at Marengo. To this union were born two sons.

Dr. Wentworth started his practice in Marble Rock on April 4, 1934. His first office was located above the First Security Bank on South Main. In 1950 he opened his new office in the house beside the family home where he continued to practice until his retirement on March 1, 1976. During his practice he delivered more than 2,000 babies, which included 15 sets of twins.

He was united in marriage to June Leaman on May 7, 1976, at the Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, Ariz. They made their home in Rochester, Minn., and during the summer months in Carefree, Arizona.

He was a member of the American Family Practice Society for 45 years, Iowa State Medical Society, Chief of Staff of the Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Floyd County Medical Society, Floyd County Memorial Hospital Association associate of Mercy Hospital in Mason City, and a member of the American Heart Association. He served on the Marble Rock School Board for nine years and was president for two years. He was a charter member of the Marble Rock Lions Club. Dr. Wentworth has had a lifetime affiliation and service to the Masonic Fraternity first beginning as a member of the Order of Demolay in Charles City.

He was initiated, raised, and passed to the sublime degree of Master Mason on March 22, 1938. He faithfully served in all the offices of Cornerstone Lodge 251, Marble Rock, where he received his 50 Year Certificate in 1988. He served as Masonic Instructor (1948) District Lecturer (1951) Senior Grand Steward (1959-60) Grand Treasurer (1974-75). He served as member of the Grand Lodge Finance Committee and on the Long Range Planning Committees. He was a member of Almond Chapter No. 53 R.AM., 50 year member of the Charles City and Cedar Rapids Consistory, A.A.S.R., North Iowa Scottish Rite Club, and the River City M.I. & D.L. Club.

Doc had the same passion for his hobbies as he had for his profession. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. As a tribute to his parents, he built and stocked a fish pond on the family farm in Fremont Township, Butler County. He also developed a game reserve at the same location. His other interests included baseball, tennis, woodworking, and for a time he held a private pilot’s license.

Living family members include his wife, June, of Rochester, Minn.; two sons: Dr. Alan F. (Ruth) Wentworth of Green Bay, Wis., and Dean C. Wentworth and his companion, Charlotte Owen, of Marble Rock; four grandchildren: Michael (Jeanne) Wentworth of Green Bay, Wis., Kathryn Suzanne (Scott)Miller of Lubbock, Texas, Peg Margaret (Michael) Wolf of Clinton, Iowa, Richard (Seyda) Wentworth, of Silver Springs, Md.; seven great-grandchildren: Kathryn, Elizabeth, Merry, Melissa, Benjamin, Samuel, and Isabel.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 423 Bradford St., Marble Rock, is in charge of arrangements - (641) 823-4457.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]