Obit: Van Gorder, Laura Louise (1916 -2011)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Awe, Hoekstra, Jable, Schulte, Van Gorder, Wirtala

----Source: Chippewa Herald-Telegram (Wisconsin) Mar 21, 2011 & Marshfield News-Herald (Wisconsin) Mar 21, 2011

Van Gorder, Laura Louise (Awe) (19 SEP 1916 - 18 MAR 2011)

Laura L. Van Gorder, 94, of Chippewa Falls, entered eternal life Friday, March 18, 2011. She passed away at the Chippewa Manor Nursing Home in Chippewa Falls.

Mrs. Van Gorder was born Sept. 19, 1916, in a log home on the family farm in Green Grove, a daughter of Edwin and Frieda (Schulte) Awe. She attended Elmwood Schools in Clark County.

On Nov. 15, 1935, in Minneapolis, Laura was united in marriage to Clark Van Gorder. He preceded Laura in death on June 1, 1986.

The couple lived in Waukegan, Ill. And Laura commuted to North Chicago where she was employed as a lab technician at Abbott Pharmaceuticals for 23 years. Upon retiring in 1968, the couple moved to New Mexico. Following Clark’s death Laura moved to Chippewa Falls.

She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls, and a member of the Melrose Chapter 88024 order of Eastern Star.

Laura and Clark traveled extensively. She also loved to paint and work with ceramics.

She is lovingly survived by sisters, Gertha Jable of Westchester, Ill. And Dorothy Wirtala, Waukegan, Ill.; and a brother Royal (Irene) Awe of Marshfield; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2 at the Chippewa Manor Nursing Home Chapel in Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Robert Hoekstra will officiate.

A time of visitation will be held from 9 – 10 a.m. at the nursing home on Saturday. Interment will be in the North Green Grove Cemetery.

The Hanson-Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.