Laura Todd Hunter

Laura Todd Hunter was a lovely woman who was known far and wide for her beautiful smile. Born in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1933 to a schoolteacher/farmer father and a homemaker mother, she was the last of five children. Seven years stood between her and her lively sister Mattie Mae, who was preceded by three brothers ; R.C., Robert, and Price. Laura was a little quirky even as a youngster and her sister was fond of saying in later life “she always was a little odd!”, which always made Laura laugh. Times were hard in those days and the family moved around quite a bit before settling on a farm in Parsons, Kansas. Laura was a quiet, dreamy, artistic child who disliked being outside, especially in the summer (“I feel STICKY!”) and could often be found tucked away in a corner of the house with her nose in a book. She met her future husband John Hunter (also of Parsons, Kansas) when as children they both attended the schoolhouse, and thought him rather obnoxious! Apparently age improved him considerably, and they married at the Parsons Center Bethel church. Laura marched down the aisle 20 minutes late due to some last minute nerves! As John was an electrical engineer, they ended up moving quite a few times and to different states. When they were assigned to Yuma, Arizona, John was a bit nervous and warned Laura that it was going to be dry and full of cacti, but she absolutely loved it. As a child she hated math but loved to read, and had devoured all the Zane Gray books, falling in love with clear skies, saguaros and purple mountains before she ever saw them. They ended up in Southern California with their two children Jerry and Kristin for many years. During this time Laura painted with both oil and watercolor, sketched, and finally took classes in design, at which to her astonishment she excelled. When the day came that her son and his wife Joan said they were going to build their own house in Arizona, John and Laura could not resist the pull, and spent a year in a trailer-home in Show Low helping to build the house. Afterwards they bought their own piece of land on a hilltop, and built a house which Laura designed herself. Laura had always loved to “perch”; on boulders, hilltops, the very edge of anyplace high that had a view, and now she was able to perch all day long in her own beautiful house and admire the purple mountains from the many windows. They enjoyed living in Show Low, and both volunteered for years at the local library. It was at this time when they began to travel, something Laura had always wanted to do, and with John's cousin Jerry and his wife Thelma they took off on many road adventures, including traveling thru Alaska and eating innumerable milkshakes and ice cream cones. Ironically, Laura and Thelma remained slender as reeds throughout, to the chagrin of the husbands! In later years and shortly before John's passing they moved to an assisted living where, in spite of wrestling with Parkinson's each day, Laura lived life to the fullest and regularly satisfied her cravings for Wendy's Frosties (ice cream). She relished filling her day with activities and adventures, especially outings on the bus; she didn't care where they went, she just enjoyed the ride, and never said no to an offer of adventure! Private services will be held to install memorial plaques at the Parson's cemetery. Laura's plaque will solve a mystery that has been puzzling Parsonians for a few years. John's plaque states, under his name, AKA “Raunchy Red Rooster”. This has raised a few eyebrows! Laura's plaque will read (thus completing the picture) AKA “Purity Pullet”. Her beautiful smile, frequent laughs, and gentle spirit is sorely missed by her children, their spouses, her 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (by Joan and Jerry), and friends. If you wish to honor her memory, donate to your favorite charity, and buy someone you love an ice cream!