Laura Louise (Bohnert) Jardon was born September 8, 1942, in Cape Girardeau, MO, the oldest of seven children of Wilbert Raymond Bohnert and Manetta Cecilia (Klump) Bohnert. She passed away on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at the Ambassador Sidney, following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 70.
The family lived in Perryville, MO, then moved to farms near Hillsdale, IL, and Harmon, IL. She was active in Lee County 4-H and went to the Illinois State Fair in Public Speaking.
Laura attended schools in Illinois: St. Anne's grade school in Moline, public schools in Hillsdale and Walnut, and graduated from Newman Central High School in Sterling, where she was a charter member of the National Honor Society Chapter. She was a 1964 graduate of Marycrest College in Davenport, IA, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She joined the Catholic Extension Lay Volunteers and taught for a year at St. Michael's School in Levelland, TX, after which she taught in public schools in Englewood, OH, and Plattsmouth, NE.
On June 18, 1966, she married Francis R. Jardon at St. Flannen's Church in Harmon, IL. Together, they raised four daughters Melinda, Teresa, Cecilia and Amy. The family lived in Omaha and Plattsmouth while Frank served in the U.S. Air Force and worked in Omaha before moving to Imogene to join the family farm in 1972.
Laura was active in the Catholic Church, serving several offices in St. Patrick's parish Altar Society and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She enjoyed traveling for DCCW. She was active in rural life, including starting her daughters in 4-H and serving as President and Voting Delegate of the Fremont County Farm Bureau. She served on the central committee of the Fremont County Republican Party. Laura always encouraged and supported education. She served nine years on the Farragut Community School Board of Directors, including a term as President. She enjoyed gardening, attending auctions, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Preceding Laura in death were her parents, her brother Warren and her brother-in-law Max Thomas. She is survived by her husband Frank; brothers Marvin (Barbara), Lowell (Chin Hee); sisters Jane Thomas, Jerrylynn (John) Hochstatter, Wilberta Ann (Fred) Genung; daughters and sons-in-law Melinda and Christopher Thach, Teresa and Randy Furmanick, Cecilia and Michael McGregor, and Amy Jardon and Mike Johnson; grandchildren Lauralee Thach, Jacob Furmanick, Henry McGregor, and Alexis Furmanick; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Memorials are being directed to St. Patrick Catholic Church Building Fund; Altar Society Scholarship; or to charity of donor's choice. Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery at Imogene.