Laura M. Fleming, 90, of the Friendship Village Retirement Center, died on Monday, October 31, 2005, at Allen Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Laura was born on a farm near Dinsdale, IA to James T. Fleming and Annie Frey Fleming on April 6, 1915. She graduated from the Dinsdale Consolidated School in 1932. College education for Laura began at the University of Northern Iowa, formerly known as Iowa State Teacher’s College, in Elementary Education, graduating in 1948. Graduate work for Laura was done at the University of Northern Iowa, Central Missouri State University, the University of Alaska, and the University of Hawaii.

Laura’s teaching career of 40 years began in 1935, by teaching in rural schools in Benton County for 5 years, in LaPorte City schools for 3 years, and joining her sister Edna in the Waterloo Public Schools in 1944, where she taught for 32 years. Another sister, Ida, joined the two sisters in 1945. They continued teaching in the Waterloo Schools giving 99 years of service to Waterloo, providing a total of 123 years in all. Laura retired from teaching in 1976, due to health problems.

Laura belonged to the National, State, and Local Education Associations and was a member of Gamma Theta Upsilon, an honorary geography organization. She was also a life member of Waterloo’s Grout Museum. Laura joined the Waterloo First Congregational Church in 1948, where she has now been a member for the past 57 years.

Extensive travel experiences were enjoyed by the three sisters, who all served as Social Studies teachers for many years.

Laura is survived by her sister, Ida E. Fleming of Waterloo; brother, James W. Fleming and his wife Donna, of Dysart; several nieces and nephews; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Preceding Laura in death were her parents; brother, Ralph W. Fleming of LaPorte City, brother, Clark O. Fleming of Osage; and sister, Edna Fleming of Waterloo.