Laura Crouch Benner

Rockwell City Newspaper
June 24, 1908

Birth, marriage and death, the three most noticeable events human life have been the experience of Laura, Wife of Angus Benner, daughter of Henry Williams and Edith Crouch. Was born near charlotte, Clinton, Co., Iowa, January 15, 1889, Was married to Angus Benner October 22, 1903. She was mother of two children; the elder a boy lived twenty-one hours, the younger, a daughter survives her. She leaves a husband, mother, two brothers, twenty-seven uncles and aunts and a host of cousins and friends to mourn her sudden and early death.

She attended school in Rockwell City passing creditably through the different grades, and quit school before her class graduated. She acquired a copious store of knowledge both theoretical and practical and had she so desired she would have made a thoroughly accomplished actor on the stage of live. She had no inclination to devote her life to the profession of teaching or other avenues of mental activities of mental activities open to women at present. She was passionately fond of music and threw her whole soul and energies into the execution of her favorite songs and hymns.

Domesticity was the dominant factor that affected her life's career. She was sociable and friendly, an obedient pupil, a loving and industrious daughter and as a wife she possessed rare business qualifications and like Martha of old did all she could to make home a happy and comfortable place. The maternity of her disposition was exemplified by her taking the five months old baby of her aunt, Mrs. Cora royalty, to raise and educate. She loved the child as though it were her own, giving to it her deep motherly love and tenderest care. She joined the M. E. church twelve years ago and up to the time of her marriage was a constant worker in the league and Sunday School. She was a woman greatly admired for her many traits of character, and many here deeply and keenly mourn her death. Rev. Robert Reidy conducted the funeral services, which were very serious, consoling and comforting. He drew lessons from her death, so beautifully expressed. they were as the balm of Gilead to the sorrowing relatives and friends as rev. Reidy said, "May the God of All Our Lives Comfort All Our Hearts." Her husband, mother, brothers and relatives return their sincere thanks to all who assisted them through their time of sorrow and bereavement.

C. E. Prentice of Newell, Obe Williams of Runnells, Mrs. H Shields and children of Fort Dodge, Mrs. John Clark and daughter of Lake City and Philip Crouch and wife of Somers attended the funeral.