Laura Millard

Laura L. Millard, 50, of Salem, IA, died Monday, July 23, 2007, at her home. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2007, from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Hughes officiating. According to her wishes, Ms. Millard's body has been cremated. A memorial has been established for the foster children of Young House Family Services or may be directed to the Millard family. Born October 14, 1956, in Des Moines, IA, Laura Lee was the daughter of Maurice D. and Margaret M. Lee Millard. She was a 1975 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. She received her B.A. degree from the University of Iowa and then pursued and obtained her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Iowa Law School. Ms. Millard practiced law as a public defender in Sioux City, Iowa City and Burlington. She later worked at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, MT. She returned to Iowa in 1999. Since that time, she has been employed as a social worker through Young House Family Services and Mid Iowa Family Therapy Clinic, primarily focusing on foster care. While living in Montana, Laura fell in love with nature and wildlife. She loved hunting and fishing. She also enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and being with her cats and dogs. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Laura is survived by her mother, Margaret Millard of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one son, Aaron Comstock and his wife, Jennifer of Tipton, IA; one daughter, Rebecca Wilbert and her companion, Levi Vroom of Salem, IA; six grandchildren, Alek Comstock, Arizona Comstock, Andrew Comstock, Owen O'Neill, James Vroom and Ethan Vroom. Also surviving are two sisters, Maureen and her husband David Edwards of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Mary Stoner of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and by one brother, Ray Millard and his wife Rita of Mt. Pleasant, IA. Ms. Millard was preceded in death by her father, Maurice Millard, and by a brother, Marlo Millard.