June 6, 1916 – November 30. 2018
Laura was born in Chappell, NE June 6, 1916 and passed away peacefully in her Riverside home surrounded by loved ones Nov. 30, 2018. Raised on a farm in Nebraska, she moved to Riverside in 1937 where she met and married her husband of 71 years, John Fred Davis. Laura was a wife and homemaker and, during WWII while Fred was deployed to the Western Pacific, she took daughter Janet to Nebraska, living with her parents Anna and Louis Heiliger and working with them on their farm and dairy. Following the war she and Fred returned to Riverside where she happily stayed home and raised her family which now included baby Patrick. When her children were in school, she took a job with the County of Riverside and was employed for 25 years in the Data Processing Dept. attaining the position of Supervisor.
Laura and Fred were faithful and loving members of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 80 years and their lives revolved around participation in the life of the church and its many activities. Family was of prime importance and they enjoyed many family gatherings with all the brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and grandparents celebrating holidays and birthdays.
Other activities Laura enjoyed included gardening, singing in the choir, learning to play the organ, playing pinochle with family and working her beloved crossword puzzles (which she managed to do up until this past year).
Laura was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, John Fred Davis (in 2009), and by her parents, Louis and Anna Heiliger, her three brothers Walter, Hudson, and Richard, her sister Dorothy Mericle and her daughter-in-law Marilyn Davis.
Survived by her children, Janet (Joe) Mericle of Whittier, CA; son Patrick Davis of Riverside; Grandchildren Jeff (Angie) Mericle, Keith (Christine) Mericle, Anne Mericle; Megan Davis; Alyssa (Steve) Gonzalez and by 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Her lessons and legacy of faith and dependence on Holy Scriptures will live within all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Laura Davis Memorial Fund of Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Braille Workers, C/O LBW, PO Box 5000, Yucaipa, CA 92399-1450
