Laura Sophia Kerns, born on March 8, 1883, was the second child and first daughter of James W. and Alice Crowley Kerns. She was also the first of their 13 children to be born in the new town of Auburn Nebraska. The young family lived in South Auburn near the Burlington train station. They usually walked to St. Joseph's Church where Laura was baptized. Later the Kerns family built their large home at 1016 16th Street. Laura attended local schools and was active in the church as a young girl and throughout her life.


On January 19, 1909, Laura married Edward H. Ely in St. Joseph's Church. We believe they were the first wedding in the brick building that still stands. After their wedding, they had a large gathering in the family house. Later in the day, Ed and Laura took the train for a short honeymoon.

Upon their return, they moved into the house on the farm where Ed and his siblings had been born. In time, their first six children were also born in that house. In 1923, the family moved to Auburn and lived at 1014 17th Street the rest of their lives. By living in town, the children could attend St. Joseph School and participate in activities in Auburn. The boys rode to the farm with their father to work on week-ends and during the summer.

Laura and Ed were the parents of seven children: infant Laura who died at birth; Edward, Jr; Mary Alice; Eugene; Charles (Buzz); William; and Richard.

Daughter Mary Alice joined the Sisters of Loretto in 1933. She was a science teacher throughout her 75 years as a nun. She died in 2008 and is buried at the Loretto Motherhouse in Kentucky.

Laura was dedicated to her family and her church during her entire lifetime. She is remembered as a very religious person, kind, helpful and loving. Each day she prayed a rosary for every member of her family.

In her later years, she suffered from eye problems and then had a stroke that kept her hospitalized for over two years. She died on August 21, 1962 in St. Mary's Hospital in Nebraska City.