Laura J Cordell

CORDELL, Laura Jean, 74, died peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at Gulfside Regional Hospice in Zephyrhills, FL, after a long struggle with breast cancer. Laura was born November 23, 1938, in Moline, IL, the daughter of Benjamin F. Ullem and Alice Smith Ullem. Laura thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. She began riding horses as a young girl and as a teenager was active in show competitions where she earned a trunk full of ribbons and awards. She continued to enjoy horseback riding throughout her life and during her 60’s spent several months in Colorado, where she was a trail guide for tourists at Beaver Creek. Laura was raised in Des Moines. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Drake University. She was a talented artist and focused most of her attention on oil paintings, automobile pin stripping, and signage. Her creativity and artistic abilities presented themselves throughout her lifetime. In 1959 Laura married Richard Carlson. They had one daughter, Elise. Laura married the love of her life, Wallace V. Cordell, in 1971 and moved from Moline, IL, to Florida where both she and her husband owned and operated a successful construction and swimming pool business for many years. When they sold their business she became a Master Gardener. She and Wally donated their time at the county extension service helping others tend to their yards and gardens. Upon her husband’s death in 1996, she relocated from the seaside and established herself in a rural community where she had a home built that she designed. There Laura spent the remainder of her years designing and cultivating her landscape, creating an outstanding tropical showcase that became her full-time passion and job. If Laura wasn’t tending to her plantings, she was involved with her friends, her high school alumni, and activities of the Bromeliad Society. When it was impossible for her to be outside, she found herself enjoying a racy romance novel or two. She was a high spirited, motivated, tenacious, fun-loving, and gifted individual who will be deeply missed by those who knew her. Laura is survived by her sister, Diane (J. D.) Ríos and her brother Ben, both of Iowa; daughter, Elise Mysels and grandson Derrick, of Florida; one niece and four nephews; and a number of other relatives and close friends. There will be a small Celebration of Life gathering for nearby friends and family at her home on Sunday, June 2nd at 1PM. If you are interested in attending, please contact Elise Mysels via cell (813) 956-8661 or email: [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to a charity of your choosing.