Laura H. (Olsen) LAWRENCE

LAWRENCE, OLSEN, WICKERINK, NICHOLS, WILSHUSEN, STEPHENS, ALBRECHT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/6/2012 at 15:07:42

September 14, 1923 --- October 29, 2012

HAMILTON – Laura H. (Olsen) Lawrence, 89, of Hamilton, passed away of natural causes on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at Discovery Care Center. She was born in Vincent, Iowa, on Sept. 14, 1923, to Lewis and Hattie (Wickerink) Olsen. She was the third oldest of 11 children.

She married Kenneth J. Lawrence in Detroit on June 7, 1947. They moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1955, where Ken opened up his dental practice. Laura had many hobbies, including oil painting, sapphire digging, searching for arrowheads and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family and loved to cook. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. According to her grandchildren, she was the best lefse and kringla maker in the world. Nothing brought her more joy than singing to and rocking her babies. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years; three sisters, infant Laura Olsen, Olive Nichols and Julia Wilshusen; and her brothers, Otto Olsen and Leonard Olsen. Survivors include her five children, Karen Stephens (Sutton) of Anderson Island, Wash., Mark Lawrence of Missoula, Trudy Lawrence of Anderson Island, Brian Lawrence (Connie) of Hamilton, Craig Lawrence of Castle Rock, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sarah Olsen and Esther Albrecht; brothers, Carl Olsen, Olaf Olsen and Oscar Olsen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A private family graveside service will be held Friday, Nov. 2. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Pastor Brenda Satrum officiating. Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

November 1, 2012
Missoulian - Missoula, Montana