Laura Elizabeth Deeny, the daughter of Louis and Clara (Matt) Brenner, was born February 24, 1916, in a farmhouse east of Mapleton, Iowa. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth, graduating from Mapleton High School in 1934 as valedictorian of her class. She then received a scholarship to attend Briar Cliff College and taught in one-room schoolhouses for three years thereafter. She attended Iowa State University where she received her B.S. degree in Home Economics in 1941. She taught in Waucoma, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Cornell Deeny.
On June 29, 1943, Laura was united in marriage with Cornell, and the couple made their home in Waucoma, Panora and Storm Lake, moving to Eagle Grove in 1949.
Laura was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America, having served as District Deputy. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi – Laureate Alpha Alpha – ¬¬ Chapter in Eagle Grove.
In the 1970's Laura returned to Iowa State University to earn her MS degree in Education and worked for several years at the Fort Dodge Rehabilitation Center.
Laura passed away in the company of her husband on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at her winter home in Mesa, AZ, at the age of 95 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Linus, Maurice and Paul Brenner and a sister, Dorothy Jensen.
Survivors include her husband, Cornell Deeny of Eagle Grove and three children: Daniel H. Deeny and wife Tsehaye of Kirksville, MO, Brian Deeny and wife Chizuko of Fort Collins, CO and Sharon K. Deeny of Cork, Ireland; five grandchildren: Beza, Sheldon, Margot, Veronika and Nadya; brother, Walt Brenner of Cherokee, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 23, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove, with Monsignor Joseph Slepicka officiating. A Rosary Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. and visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Eagle Grove.
Memorials may be given in memory of Laura to the scholarship fund at Briar Cliff University @ 3303 Rebecca St., Sioux City, IA 51106.
