Laura Ida Conner

Born on August 10, 1910, on a farm in rural Dickinson County, Iowa, Laura Ida Philiph Conner was the middle daughter of Ben and Bertha Philiph. She died at St. Luke Nursing Home in Spencer, Iowa, on May 2, 2016, at the age of 105. She graduated from Hartley High School in 1928, and began her teaching career in a one-room school house with a high school normal training certification. She went on to earn her two-year teaching certificate and then a BA and MA in education from Arizona State University. She finished her 40 plus year teaching career in 1977, at Arnolds Park where she taught mostly 7th and 8th grades and also had served as interim elementary principal. She was married to James I. Conner, D. C., and they had one daughter, Valerie now of Talmoon, Minnesota. Besides family, she enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, fishing, and some pheasant hunting. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mabel Petersen and Ella Barman; and her husband, Doc Conner. She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Conner; her son-in-law, Michael Raymond; her grandnephews, Daniel Petersen and Andrew Petersen; her grandniece, Rachel Petersen; and great-grandnephew, Mason Petersen. From her youth working in the fields with her father through her professional career as a teacher, she found her place in what in the 20th century was still a man's world. A strong-some would say controlling-woman, she met life head on with realism, stoicism, and Faith. Hers was a life well lived, and she will be missed.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT