Pruden, Laura 1854-1926

PRUDEN, LEISURE, WEAVER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/30/2012 at 08:13:23

Grinnell (IA) newspaper; May 7, 1926

MRS. PRUDEN IS BURIED HERE
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Burial Services Were Held at Hazelwood Cemetery Wednesday Evening.
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MRS. PRUDEN DIED IN CHATTANOOGA SUNDAY
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Mrs. Pruden Was closely Associated With Beginnings of Grinnell.
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Burial services were held at the grave in Hazelwood cemetery Wednesday evening for Mrs. George A. Pruden whose body reached Grinnell on the evening train from Chattanooga, Tenn., where she passed away Sunday morning. The train was met by a large company of friends and the funeral procession went at once to the cemetery, where Rev. E.M. Vittum spoke a few words of comfort and encouragement and offered prayer. A male quartet composed of Fred Morrison, Dr. P.E. Somers, Dr. O.F. Parish and A.L. Frisbie sang, "Now the Day is Over." The pall bearers were A.D. Talbott, Dr. P.E. Somers, D.M. Cox, Dr. O.F. Parish, W.S. Sanders and Fred Morrison.

The funeral services which were held in Chattanooga, Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, were conducted by Rev. O.E. Gardner, D.D., Mrs. Pruden's pastor. The Scripture was the thirteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians, which has been used at the funerals of all the members of the family, which was also true of the hymn, "Saved by Grace." At both services the music was beautiful and suitable.

Mrs. Pruden was born Laura Leisure, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Leisure, pioneer settlers of Grinnell, in Primrose, Lee county, Iowa, May 26, 1854. The following spring she came to Grinnell with her parents and for all that summer was the baby of the infant colony. G.H. Hamlin, the first baby born in Grinnell, did not arrive on the scene until that fall.

She grew to womanhood with the growing community and in 1875 was united in marriage with George A. Pruden, whose helpmeet she was to be through so many happy and busy years. For the first years their married life was spent in Marshalltown, but after the death of Mrs. Leisure in 1903, the family moved back to Grinnell and their home continued here until seven years ago when Mrs. Pruden went to Chattanooga with her daughter, Mrs. Walter L. Weaver and her husband. Since that time she has made her home there with them.

Mr. Pruden died very suddenly in February of 1914 and Mr. Leisure passed away the following April. Mrs. Weaver, the daughter survives.

For a great many years Mrs. Pruden was an active and devoted member of the Drummond club, and even after moving to Chattanooga she retained her membership and valued it most highly. In Chattanooga she belonged to the Woman's Club.

During her life in Grinnell she was a member of the Congregational church and after moving to Chattanooga transferred her membership to the North Side Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Pruden was a woman of highest character and fine principles; a loving wife, a devoted mother, a true friend. All who knew her honor her memory as a woman who interpreted her life in terms of service and who gave even more freely than she received.