Laura Ruth Grab, 92 of Kelso, Washington passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2021. She was born in Osage, Arkansas in 1929. She had a delightful early childhood with her younger brother Fred and enjoyed riding her pony to school with her faithful hound dog following behind. She was a cosseted grandchild of her grandparents that had neighboring farms. This idealistic life was disrupted by the terrible drought of the 1930's. Historically it was known as one of the longest and hardest on record. Eventually, her parents had to sell their animals and land. They loaded up a Model-A Ford vehicle and headed west to California. Life was a struggle when they first got there, but her father's farming experience helped him find employment in the rich agricultural lands of the Salinas Valley. Her parents Jess and Mae Cochran settled in King City and raised their family, until they later moved to Greenfield.

Laura ended up being the oldest sibling of a large family. She is preceded in death by her brothers Fred Cochran, Oliver Cochran, Troy Cochran, Carl Cochran, Jess (Denver) Cochran, Alfred Cochran, and Charles Cochran.  Her one remaining and youngest sibling is Erlene Davis of South Dakota.

Laura learned at a young age to be a homemaker. She was her mother's helper with all those baby brothers. Her much wished for sister came along when she turned 18 and was leaving home. All her adult life she always had a smile on her face for babies and small children!

Laura attended schools in the King City area and finished High School with honors in 1948. She graduated from Cosmetology school in 1949 and was a hairdresser in King City. She was in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1953 with a National Defense Service Metal.

Laura met the love of her life John Grab a cattle rancher from King City. They married in 1953. They bought a home in Salinas and she lived there for more than 60 yrs. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the LDS Church in Salinas. She was an avid homemaker making wedding cakes, sewing, and quilting. She gifted many pairs of hand-knitted slippers and baby buntings. She was very crafty! She was involved in helping Camp Fire Girls, and Girl Scouts. She took up painting pictures in retirement and was involved with the Senior Citizens Center of Prunedale, California. Most of all she doted on her family.

Laura is survived by two daughters, Rebecca (Joe) Mintz, and Martha (Howard Gail) Sportsman. Two grandsons twins Joseph and Jonathan Mintz, a number of nieces and nephews, and other cherished family members. Also, her lifelong friend Helen Collins.  Though she was here for 92 years we hate to see her go.  We love her so much!

A Graveside Committal with Military Honors will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in the King City Cemetery, 1010 Broadway, King City.