Laraine Corey was born to Clyde and Blanche (Bass) Ober on Nov. 4, 1930, in Stratford, Iowa. She was raised with her 12 siblings.

Growing up on a small farm near Stratford, she worked hard to graduate high school and enjoyed playing on the women’s 6-on-6 basketball team. After high school, she moved to New Jersey to attend nursing school, becoming a registered nurse.

Soon after, she met Stuart M. Corey, a pilot in the U.S. Navy. They married on May 1, 1956, and were happily married for almost 50 years. She was a devoted wife and mother of three adopted children.

After living and traveling to many locations around the world, in 1976 Laraine and Stuart finally settled on Whidbey Island, Wash. Laraine became involved in Women’s Aglow Fellowship and eventually became president of her local chapter for a few years.

Laraine also loved to entertain for family and friends. She would cook up a storm of delicious cuisine. She and Stuart enjoyed hosting a Bible study once a week, using that platform to reach out to others in need. Eventually they started a nonprofit organization called Island Ministries, with the goal of helping missionaries returning from their missions, as well as anyone else they felt needed assistance with finances, counselling or even a place to stay.

Following Stuart’s retirement from the Navy, Laraine and Stuart purchased a local oil distributorship from a friend in Coupeville, Wash., which kept them both very busy until their kids joined the company, which then allowed more time for traveling, ministry and friendly get togethers.

Laraine wore many hats throughout her lifetime, including private pilot, nurse, hostess, Aglow president, counselor, secretary, loving wife and devoted mother, humble servant of Christ.

Laraine passed away from Alzheimer’s on March 26, 2020, 14 years to the day of Stuart’s passing in 2006. Laraine is survived by her brother Lenard Ober, of Boone, Iowa; sister Esther Santi, of Rutledge, Tenn.; sister Pamela Heun, of Columbia, Mo.; son Nathan Corey and his wife Mercedes Corey, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; daughter, Rebecca Klieman, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; daughter Mary Beth Eaton and her husband John Eaton, of Oak Harbor; nine grandchildren, Sean Corey, Allysa Corey, Cassie (Klieman) Mollerstuen, Lisa (Klieman) Nagel, Christopher Klieman, Kimberly (Klieman) Coburn, Justin Eaton, Kevin Eaton and Cambria Vernoy; and 14 great grandchildren.