Laura L Silk

Laura Lyttleton Coad was born in Omaha, NE on October 2, 1923 to Ralph and Laura Callahan Coad. Two years later she was joined by her sister Adelene Virginia (I.E.).

Laura grew up in the Dundee neighborhood, attended Washington and Dundee grade schools, and graduated from Central High School in 1942. She attended college at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO. After one year, she was anxious to start work and returned to Omaha and began working at The Federal Reserve Bank as a File Clerk and then for the Internal Revenue Service as a Billing Operator. It was at this job that she met her future husband, Bill, on an IRS bowling team through co-workers matchmaking. Laura and Bill married on September 25, 1948 and built their life long home on North 66th Street in 1952 where they raised their 5 children.

Although Laura did not return to work after marrying Bill, she did remain busy with a number of volunteer positions through the years. She volunteered at Bergan Mercy Hospital working the gift shop and on the Bergan Mercy Auxiliary Board. Other volunteer work included the Columbian Missionaries, St. James Orphanage, and St. Bernard’s School.

One of Laura’s greatest passions was her family genealogy project. She did extensive research on the Coad, Callahan, Silk and Riley families. Her research took her to cemeteries, churches, libraries, and county buildings in many cities across the U.S. and Ireland. All of this research was done before personal computers, email, and Ancestry.com existed. It was done the old fashion way, lots of time and energy searching birth and death records, marriage records and newspaper articles. It was something she truly loved doing and got great pleasure from. She found family stories and information that will be treasured for generations to come.

Laura loved golf. She golfed in leagues for many years as well as with Bill. They traveled Nebraska playing a golf course in every county. She also loved to watch all the PGA golf tournaments on TV. Laura took courses in photography and quilting and turned that knowledge into some beautiful photographs and quilts.

When Bill retired in 1976, Laura was on jury duty and was asked what her occupation was. She said she was a “retired housewife”. The judge had a good laugh with that one. After their retirement, they traveled to many places around the U.S. and the world. Laura has been to all 50 states. Alaska was the last one on her list and they went there for their 40th wedding anniversary.

Through 70 years of marriage, Laura and Bill enjoyed many family vacations and activities with their children. They were very involved grandparents and attended many activities and events creating memories with all of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her legacy is her devotion to family and faith, which have both greatly influenced and blessed this entire family.