LAURIE JEAN (Nedelcoff) LAURENT 1954-2003

NEDELCOFF, LAURENT

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/14/2004 at 15:18:06

Laurie Jean Laurent

Telegraph Herald - Dec 9, 2003

Laurie Jean (Nedelcoff) Laurent, 49, of 3851 Andrea St., left this world on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, surrounded by her loved ones. She fought cancer with valor and courage until the very end.

In accordance with Laurie's wishes, the funeral mass and burial will be a private service for only the immediate family at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Hazel Green, Wis. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Roselawn Chapel at Dennis Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Road, followed by a memorial service at 8 p.m.

Laurie was born in Hazel Green on July 17, 1954. During her working career, she was employed by the former Dubuque Packing Co., Becker Food Co. and for the past years, her wonderful Hockenberg Newburgh and Co. family, who has stood by and supported her faithfully during her illness.

Laurie lived life to its fullest in spite of many obstacles that she faced. Her family and friends were her lifeline, and she was always there with a hug and kind words when they were hurt or in need. She was an inspiration for all that knew her because she had such a fantastic fighting spirit and positive attitude. Many times when her life was at a low point, she went to help others that were in need when most of us would have been wallowing in self-pity. That's just the way she was, and it was very hard for us to understand how she dealt with all the challenges she had to face and somehow keep a smile on her face.

Laurie loved her family and her friends and her comfy home was a gathering place for everyone. We always laughed at her "bottomless bottles of white zinfandel," and no matter what time of day or night it was, there were never-ending supplies of snacks for all to enjoy! She was a "planner" and kept all of her friends busy with get-togethers, trips and nights out for all to enjoy.

Among her greatest loves were the ocean, sand and sun. She received new energy every time she went "South," and those vacations were some of the high points in her life. Reading books, laying in the sun and drinking Diet Coke and bottled water was all she needed to keep her happy. Her trip with Lindsey to Cancun was "paradise," and it was the best vacation the two of them ever had, and the memories they made will never be forgotten!

Laurie was blessed with so many good friends, some who lived in Dubuque, as well as those in other parts of the country, and she kept in touch with them on a regular basis. Her friends were very important to her - she considered them part of her family, and she never took them for granted.

Laurie will always be with us- just look at the moon and the stars that she enjoyed so much. Walk down the street, and look up at the tops of the buildings. Enjoy a catfish dinner. Stop the car, and get out and drink in the scenery instead of being in such a hurry. Slow down and enjoy life, and you'll know that she's with you. She will be missed, but never far from us in memory, and we'll smile when we think of her, her love for life and her wonderful sense of humor.

Laurie is survived by her pride and joy, her daughter, Lindsey Jean, of Dubuque; her parents, Pauline and Jim Nedelcoff, of Hazel Green; her brothers, Dave (Sue), of Milwaukee, Mike (Gina), of Davenport, Iowa, and Jon (Linda) of Mayville, Wis., and nieces and nephews, Terra, Austin, Madison and Jaelyn. She also leaves behind her dear cousins, aunts and uncles and many special friends, and her "best boy in the world," her faithful dog, Tucker. In good times and the not so good, the Nedelcoff family could all be depended on to "be there" for each other, and the trips to Madison for treatments and appointments brought all of them even closer together. Dave, Mike and Jon were not only her brothers, but her friends as well, and she was theirs. Her Mom and Dad meant the world to her, and she loved them with all of her heart. Lindsey was her everything, and she was so proud of her and all that she's accomplished. She knows that even though she isn't with her in body, her spirit lives on in her daughter, who is so much like her Mom. She, too, has that fighting spirit and the will to survive and succeed!

In lieu of flowers, a Laurie Laurent Memorial Fund has been established.