Laurie Middleton

Memorial Service is planned for 3:00 pm, Sunday March 2nd 2014 at the Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel with Visitation starting at 2:00 pm Laurie Andra Middleton was born on November 20, 1962 in Neptune, New Jersey. Her father, Len Middleton, was working on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Her mother, Anita (Hokkanen) Middleton was working on finishing her college degree and raising her growing family. The family would stay in New Jersey a couple years and brother Paul joined the family in October 1964. Her father’s career had the family moving around the country from Boston to Houston to Detroit in the next few years. Sister Kara was born in Pennsylvania in March 1970. The family moved to Eveleth, Minnesota, soon after Kara’s birth. They purchased a house on Ely Lake and lifetime friendships were formed. Swimming, waterskiing, ice-skating and duck camp became a favorite group activities. The family moved again to Esko and Laurie entered junior high and high school. The family attended Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle and a deep faith took root as well as deep friendships. Laurie was involved in track and cross country running, piano and flute, cheerleading, and some theater and musical productions, and church activities. Finally, the family moved to the Twin Cities and Laurie graduated from Richfield High School in 1980. Laurie received her mass communications degree from Oral Roberts University. In 1992 she received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell Law School in St. Paul. After receiving her law degree she also held a number of positions including law clerk, judicial clerk and revisor of statutes. She particularly enjoyed her work as an Assistant County Attorney in Beltrami County in the mid-1990’s. Laurie worked in various communications, administrative and government positions throughout her career including at Georgetown University, DC, the Minnesota legislature, and the Minnesota Department of Administration - Workers Compensation Program. Laurie had many creative interests, especially movies, theater, and writing. The stories she wrote about Grandma Hokkanen and niece Abby entertained her family. Laurie truly enjoyed entertaining not only her family but her friends as well. A good dinner party, a fun birthday party, watching a movie or playing a game were always on the agenda. Laurie loved to travel. There were countless trips to Sugar Island and Detroit, Michigan and later Clearwater, Florida to visit grandparents and family. There were also international trips to England, Finland, and Russia in 1975, a Teen Missions trip to Egypt in 1982, another missions trip to Eastern Europe in 1984 with a short stop in Finland and a trip to Italy in 2012. Laurie travelled extensively around the United States. Her love of travel eventually focused on Hawaii. Her first visit was with her sister and brother and his family in December 2006 for Christmas following the death of their parents that year. She visited two more times for interviews hoping to land a job and a reason to move. She also visited in 2008 with her traveling and adventure friend, Sandy. Laurie’s final trip was to Kauai in October 2013 after her diagnosis of 4th stage esophageal cancer. Laurie relaxed in the lovely scenery and frolicked in the ocean with her family for a week and then Sandy joined her for a second bonus week. A deep, personal and steadfast commitment to Jesus has been the foundation of Laurie’s life. She appreciated Bible studies and sermons that stirred her faith and sharpened her ability to hear God. Her friends commented that she really knew the Word of God. Laurie would take every opportunity to pray with her sister, friends and sister-in-law. After she received the terminal diagnosis, her faith gave her strength day by day to focus on living. She prayed through each decision and, as attested by those who spent time with her in the last few months, Laurie truly experienced God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. (Phil 4:6-7) Laurie is survived by sister, Kara Middleton of Plymouth; sister-in-law, Nyla Middleton of Plymouth; nephews Peter, Henry, Joshua and niece Abigail; Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Harvey Warburton of Seattle; cousins Bill Warburton and Tom (Jenna) Warburton of Seattle.

Tributes

Laurie Middleton

February 25, 2014

Tributes

Laurie Middleton

February 25, 2014

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