Beard, Laura Elizabeth (Bershee) 1925 – 2012

BEARD, BERSHEE, HANSEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/11/2013 at 08:57:47

Source: Decorah Public Opinion October 2, 2012, Page A-6

Laura Beard

Laura Beard, 87, of Decorah, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Aase Haugen Homes in Decorah. A memorial service was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Beard family barn located on the south side of Highway 9 west of the intersection of Highways 9 and 52. A private family committal service is at a later date. Memorials may be given in Laura’s memory to the Wellington Place Auxiliary, the Decorah Genealogy Library, and the Northeast Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Laura Elizabeth Beard was born in Burlington Jan. 11, 1925, the daughter of Charles Bershee and Esther Hansen Bershee. She spent most of her school years in Des Moines schools, graduating from East High School in January 1943. Her mother’s death in Chicago when Laura was four left her and her two brothers with various housekeepers or among relatives in Burlington. At age 14 she was the family housekeeper.

She married Franklin H. Beard of Decorah New Year’s Day, 1945, in the home of her aunt and uncle in Burlington. Five sons were born to Laura and Franklin.

Laura was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines and transferred membership to Decorah Congregational Church in 1945. She recently became a member of the Northeast Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Decorah.

She worked at Aase Haugen Homes in the activities department and served as a volunteer for a number of years, then joined the Auxiliary Board of the Oneota Riverview Care Facility, now Wellington Place. She was a member of the Decorah Travel Club, Carry On Club, Decorah Genealogy Association and Winneshiek County Historical Society.

Laura enjoyed family history and research, pressed flower art and all family gatherings. Because she and her brothers had lived with grandparents, aunts and uncles in Burlington at various times, her cousins were special to her. Older brother Bob returned from a German prison camp and was always her special protector.

Four sons survive, with their wives and families: James “Jay” and Marilyn, F. Benjamin “Ben” and Mary, Robert “Rob” and Jody, and Rollin E. There are 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a son, Brian Richard, and husband Franklin.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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