Laura Louise (Bock) Binder

Laura Louise Bock was born in her parent’s home on the Kansas/Nebraska state line near DuBois, Nebraska on March 26, 1919.  She was raised on a farm in a loving family consisting of her parents, Edward and Martha Bock and two brothers, Kenneth and Robert Bock.  She enjoyed racing the boys to school on her horse, Lindy.  Laura was active in both school and church.  She loved to play piano at church and enjoyed playing clarinet in the DuBois High School Band.

When she was 18 years old, she left the farm to live with her Aunt Josie and Uncle Carl Callerman.  She attended Barnes Business School in Denver, Colorado.  After graduating, she did secretarial work in the Denver area.  In Denver, Colorado, on April 19, 1944, she married Quentin Gray, a DuBois High School classmate, both from the graduating class of 1936.  They raised their four children; Tom, Karen, Susan and Jim in Aurora, Colorado, except for four years in Mission, Kansas from 1958-1962.

Laura was always active in the United Methodist Church.  She sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for 25 years and served as a local and district officer of the United Methodist Women in both Colorado and Nebraska.  In 1978, Laura and Quentin retired and moved back to Pawnee City, Nebraska, to care for their elderly parents.  Quentin passed in June of 1981.  They were married 37 years.

Laura was married to Glenn Binder on Nov 28, 1982.  They were married 32 years and enjoyed doing weekly mission work for the church, visiting homes of people unable to attend church and leaving them with tapes of the service and weekly bulletins.  They were also active in Sunday School, Christian Fellowship activities and very active in family events.

On Dec 7, 2012, due to a bad knee, Laura needed assistance and entered Pawnee Manor (now Premier Estates) and resided there until her passing.  She came close to passing from Covid in 2020 but miraculously recovered.  Laura and her family are very grateful for the many good caregivers at Premier Estates through the years.

Laura turned 104 years old on March 26, 2023.  Her family and friends filled Poteet Hall to celebrate.  Then on July 14, 2023, after her health was failing, she passed on into a heavenly life.

Laura (Bock) Gray Binder was a “light that shines” for all around her and was loved very much by her four children, six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and all her nieces and nephews and their families.  Numerous family members have gathered to celebrate her birthday, Thanksgiving and other special occasions for many years.

Laura will surely be missed by those of us who love her and welcomed with open arms by her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and all her loved ones already in heaven.

Funeral Services 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska.  Officiating Pastor Lauri Beach and Pastor Dennis Hanneman. The service is also livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page for those unable to attend and a link to the stream is now available at the bottom of Laura's webpage. 

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment at the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Memorials to the United Methodist Church, Pawnee City.

Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted with Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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