Obituary of Laura Naomi Falkner

Laura Naomi (Halsted) Falkner was born February 14,1930 to James Millard and Florance Mary (Cooper) Halsted in Jackson Township, Kansas. She was the second of seven siblings: Mildred, Dorothy, James, John, Doug and Dale. As a young child she moved with her parents and older sibling to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. There she grew up, attended school and worked with her family on their farm.

In October of 1947 (?) she married George Ward Falkner. They had three children while they lived in Bonners Ferry; George Roy, who passed away in infancy, James Eugene and Karen Louise.

In the early 50s the couple drew a farm parcel in Paul, Idaho under the Veterans Homestead Act. With their two children they moved to Paul and began construction on their brick home. During this time, they continued to farm and raise their two children. To add to their income, Laura opened a child care center in Rupert and ran a successful business. In 1961 their last child, Katherine Carol was born.

In 1969 George and Laura sold their farm and moved into Rupert where George built a successful real estate business. Laura had retired from child care and started work on remodeling the home they had purchased for $10,000.00. With occasional help from son Jim and brother Dale they removed 14 doors and turned around the staircase. She spent spare time sewing, quilting and painting, and was excellent at all of them. Laura also cared for her mother and Father until his death in 1983.

After divorcing George, she moved with her mother to Denver, Colorado and worked for the Denver Public Employees Credit Union. After her mother left to live with sister Dorothy, Laura moved out of apartment living and bought a two-bedroom townhome in Lakewood. These were good years and she enjoyed her daughters and their children (Katie, Carol & Alex), (Geoffrey & Tabitha). Occasional visits from her son Jim and wife Phoebe and their children (Laura, Rachel, Teresa, Alan and Kimberly) added additional fun and excitement. Laura sold her townhome and moved into senior living. Around 2005 she made her last move to live with Kathy and Karl. She really enjoyed being with the family, gardening, embroidering, and cooking meals.

Laura is preceded in death by her sons George Roy and James Eugene, sister Mildred, and brother Dale. She is survived by daughters Kathy, Karen, grandchildren Laura, Rachel, Terese, Alan, Kimberly, Katie, Carol, Alex, Geoffrey and Tabitha, 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, sister Dorothy, brothers James, John and Doug.

Laura has requested that her ashes be buried or spread near George Roy’s grave in Copeland, Idaho.

 

I saw your shadow pass my door,

And heard the familiar squeaking floor.

When I looked up you were not there,

Instead, a young woman with darker hair--

No arthritic fingers,

No wobbly knees,

A happy woman moving with ease.

--Released from the body that held her here,

Now moving on to others so dear.

 

KM