Published in The Enterprise, 3/2/1972

ALLEN LAAKER DIED SUDDENLY TUES. MORNING

LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY DIED AT BLAIR HOSPITAL

Allen W. Laaker, a life-long resident of Washington County and for many years a resident of Blair, died suddenly at Memorial Community Hospital early Tuesday morning.

He was born August 12, 1903 at Arlington where he attended school and grew to manhood. For a time he operated a general merchandise store there but later moved to Blair where he and Mrs. Laaker became Superintendents of Crowell Memorial Home. They held this post for many years.

Following his work there he was associated with several local firms while Mrs. Laaker was a dormitory House Mother at Dana College. Allen assisted her in many ways in that capacity.

He had gone to the hospital Monday evening following a day of not feeling well but had rested well through the night. Upon getting up, briefly, in his hospital room Tuesday morning, he collapsed and died. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

He is survived by his wife, Alice; by a daughter, Mrs. James (Senora) Risser of Washington, D.C., and by a son, David, of Beatrice, Nebraska. There are two grandsons.

He was a staunch member of the First Methodist Church and he carried out many projects on behalf of the church. He also had an active interest in the Blair Lions Club and was Secretary of the Club for many years. He was especially helpful to many of the shut-ins and those without transportation, freely furnishing his car and time for many occasions.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10:00 o’clock at the First Methodist Church. The Rev. Charles Gates with conduct the service and burial will be made in the Arlington Cemetery under the direction of the Campbell Mortuary.