Laura Gray age 91 of Belvidere, Illinois, died Thursday afternoon, June 9, 2005 in P.A. Peterson Retirement Home, in Rockford, IL. Laura was born September 24, 1913 in Kirkland, Illinois the daughter of Clare and Caroline (Koerting) Strawn. She graduated from Belvidere High School in 1931 and then went to work at Belvidere Bottle Cap from 1931 to 1938. Laura met her husband George, while he was a milkman for Wait's Creamery; they were married on February 1, 1938. Laura and George started farming on Hugh Funderberg's farm until 1941. From 1942 through 1952, Laura and George farmed in the Garden Prairie area and enjoyed their fellowship with neighbors such as the Carlson's, Fowler's, Lindholm's, Kelley's, Crawford's, Engelsen's, Fidder's, Bunger's, Bye's Wait's, Blake's and Shattuck families. Laura was a bookkeeper for Belvidere Grist Mill from 1954 to 1962 working for Les Carlson and then for Production Credit Co. from 1963 to 1977 working for Tom Jones. Laura specialized in work her entire life, but also enjoyed county fairs, church activities and working on the farm with her family. The greatest gift in life for Laura were her Savior, husband, George and her sons and their families, she was especially fond of her daughter in-laws, Betty and Nellie, who Laura said was daughters to her. Laura was a member of First United Methodist Church in Belvidere.Survivors include her children, Lynn (Nellie) Gray of Mahomet, IL, Bruce (Betty) Gray of Belvidere, IL; grandchildren, Debra (Scott) Schwebke, Gina (John) Efinger and Step-grandson Robert Jurkacek; great-grandchildren, Justin Schwebke, Meghan Katherine Schwebke, Matthew Efinger and Jonathon Efinger; sister, Barbara (Don) Munch. The family wishes to acknowledge the following people for helping with Laura's care during the retirement years, Bill (Sharon) Horkheimer, Carol Raymond, Betty and Nellie Gray, Drs. Eric and Kent Hess, Tom(Phyllis) Jones and her deceased friend Mary Ann Steurer as well as the nurses P.A Peterson Nilie Wild, Sandy Bellan, Lanis Jenson and Zakkryyah Fuzzel.Laura is predeceased by her parents, husband, George, and sister Wilda Strawn.

Memorials can be given to Flora Church, Belvidere First United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army Corp. in her memory.