Laura H. Elmore

Laura Helen (Yeske) Elmore was the seventh child of Edward and Helen Yeske. She was born in Lunnford, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, September 21, 1940.

After a short battle with Alzheimer’s and congestive heart disease, Laura passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas on Friday, May 29, 2026, aged 85.

Those of her family that predecease her are her parents, mentioned above, her husband Donald Elmore, brothers Walter* (wife Joan*), Arthur* (wife Nancy*), Max*,Freddie* [deceased in youth], Adolf* (wife Cheryl, not deceased), and her granddaughter Jillian Elora Elmore.

Laura is survived by her brother Alfred (wife Dorothy), her sisters Frieda (husband Egil Frantzen), Elsie (husband Russell Mar deceased*), children David Elmore, Mark Elmore (wife Donna), Jason Elmore (wife Jaclyn), and Jennifer Hurd (husband Todd), granddaughter; Maegan Tilley (husband Andrew, and great-grandsons Levi, Connor, and Samuel); granddaughter Carlee Fox (husband Grant, and great-granddaughters Lily, and Violet); granddaughter Jules Elmore, and granddaughter Brittany Hurd (and great-grandson Dylan), all of central Arkansas, and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her grand and great-grandchildren were deeply loved and adored by her.

Canada being a part of the British Commonwealth was already at war in World War II in 1940. She was born four months after her father had been interned in the Kananaskis Interment Camp for German citizens in Canada. He did not see Laura until she was four years old when the war was nearly over and he was released.

Laura & Don met in Hawaii. Mom was on a vacation with her sister, Frieda, who worked for Air Canada, and my dad who was assigned to the naval base. They literally met in a pineapple field as two cars passed each other. The romantic details are another story for another time.

They were married in the now historic McDougall United Church of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on March 16, 1963.

Dad worked for Reynolds Metals for many years. One of the benefits he gained by working there were ten-week vacations every five years. These vacations afforded us the ability to travel the United States to see the sights and wonders; like Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, the giant Sequoia trees, Yellowstone, the Rocky Mountains, and Banff and Kananaskis National Parks, and to visit my mom's family and farm in Canada. The farm was a great experience for us Arkansas kids. Mom planned them all.

One would be remiss if it were not stated that she loved the outdoors, especially gardening her flowers and vegetables. Our family often traveled to the lake and around the country on vacation, camping in a pop-up camper. Because of our Scout training, each of us had our assignments in establishing the camp usually about ten minutes after arriving, often to the amazement of nearby campers.

Mom was an artist at heart and was quite good at drawing. She loved reading books, over 50 to 75 a year, many thousands over her time.

She served on the Women's Committee of Boy Scout Troop 34, and as a Den Mother of Cub Scout Pack 33, a Girl Scout Troop Leader of Troop 160, a secretary, the Caldwell Elementary School PTA Secretary-Treasurer, an Extension Homemaker, a 4-H Leader, an Arkansas Master Gardener, an Arkansas Audubon Society Bird Friendly Gold Certified Yard, a Lifetime Member of Arkansas Native Plant Society, a cook, a housewife and homemaker, a lover of pets, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a neighbor, a friend, and she is deeply loved by her family and friends.

She attended every football game, every Scouting event, every concert, every ceremony. She supported all our activities. She was a fierce defender of her children and husband whenever it was called for. Raised money as a band and football booster, helped throw fundraising events for air conditioners in our elementary school, worked on a myriad of our school projects, cut our hair, made us clothes, sat bedside and rubbed Vic’s VapoRub on our chests when we were sick, put Band-Aids on skinned knees, pinched pennies and clipped coupons, wrapped presents, wrote cards and letters, ever patient, keeper of the family records and finances, kept us fed, clean and clothed, very little got past her, and she was the disciplinarian.

She was retired from Tops Shoes after 20 years and Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union after 10 years.

She was only person I know who caught a crappie barehanded and one of last people I know who balancedher check book down to the penny. She loved Elvis Presley, John Denver and Josh Groban music. She loved strawberry milkshakes and Sonic’s Reese’s Blast every so often. Mom kept a clean house, a good yard, and a fruitful garden. She believed in God, worshipped and encouraged people to live a full faithful life in her own way.

Many thanks to the staff at Mt. Carmel Community at The Village and the caretakers of Elite Hospice for their tireless care of mom.

Laura Elmore's memorial service will be held at the Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, AR 72015, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service, from 2:00-3:00 PM. No reception afterwards. Her nephew, Reverend Max Ates will be presiding. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

There will be a private graveside interment at Sharon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Alzheimer's Association .