Obituary, Laurel Jean Wilson, 9/22/1928 – 4/27/2014
On the sun splashed morning of April 27, 2014, surrounded by her three loving daughters, Laurel Wilson passed into God’s eternal peace ending an arduous medical struggle associated with a cardiac condition she had been experiencing.
Born on September 22, 1928 in Lake Preston, South Dakota to David and Madeline Paterson, Laurel Jean Paterson became the third of their four children.
To chronicle Laurel’s life is to describe an 85 ½ year burst of human energy.
Laurel spent her formative years as a child of the Great Depression, growing up as a farm girl. Her passion for vocal music, instrumental music, baton twirling and 4-H was coupled with the hard work associated with her farm life. It was during this time when her mother cultivated her prowess as a seamstress and cook —- and, boy could Laurel cook!!!
After graduating from high school in 1946 Laurel, with the encouragement and financial support of her older brother, David, entered South Dakota State University (SDSU) that fall. Life was to change with her entry into college when she met an upper classman named John (Jack) Wilson at the registration dance. Initially their relationship began as a friendship, but in a few months it evolved into a romance which culminated with their June 20, 1948 wedding. In addition to her marriage that spring, Laurel was conferred with her Associates Degree in Home Economics and Business from S.D.S.U.
July 1949 brought the birth of the first of John and Laurel’s daughters – Patricia Lu (Patty). In 1950, Mary Kay, their second daughter was born, followed by the 1954 birth of their third daughter, Nancy Jean.
Although John and Laurel initially settled in Pierre, South Dakota after their marriage their stay was short lived. In 1950 they chose to move to Minneapolis, MN so John could earn his Master’s Degree at the University of Minnesota. In 1951 armed with a Master’s Degree, John and Laurel moved back to Pierre. Again their tenure would be relatively short lived due to John’s acceptance of a 1954 job offer from the State of Montana – a job that ultimately resulted in John’s ascension to the position of State Registrar. Helena, MT was to become Laurel’s home for the next 60 years.
Raising 3 young daughters in a totally new town could be a daunting new challenge for anyone but Laurel proved to be up to the task. Her skills as a mother, wife, and homemaker had been well honed. Not only did Laurel cook fabulous food (she loved to prepare meals for the sick & grieving) she often sewed new school clothes for her daughters, worked full and part/time jobs, and attended all of her daughters school activities, while still making time for square dancing with John. An entire newspaper page could be used to list the additional commitments she made to her family.
In addition to her abiding familial commitments she still found time to engage in her love for playing Bridge. Testament to her Bridge playing ability was the attainment of Life Master Status.
By the mid 1970’s Laurel and John’s girls left home and were starting lives of their own. Perhaps Laurel could have slowed down at this point; but that was not in her makeup. Despite the fact that John was still working Laurel and John purchased 5 acres of land in the Helena valley. Because it was not possible to take the farm girl proclivities out of Laurel, she and John developed a beautiful and bountiful farmstead. This endeavor continued for 20 years. After John retired in the mid 1980’s, John and Laurel added annual trips to Arizona and frequent attendance at Dixieland Jazz Festivals to their lives.
2008 was a watershed year as John and Laurel celebrated their 60th Anniversary. Three months later John passed away. For the next 5 ½ years Laurel remained very active by continuing to focus on her family and playing many games of Internet Bridge with people from all over the world.
Preceding Laurel in death are her parents – David and Madeline Paterson, her three siblings – David, Lucille and Bill, and her husband, John (Jack) Wilson.
Celebrating Laurel’s life, yet deeply mourning her passing, are her three daughters and their husbands: Patty Balhiser (Bob), Mary Jacobson (Hal), and Nancy Wilson (Alex Taft). Additionally she is lovingly remembered by her four grandchildren: Ryan Foley, CJ Foley (Heather), Madeline McKiddy, and Whitney McKiddy; two step grandchildren: David Balhiser (Gabi), Justin Balhiser (Kristin) and their son Blake. Laurel’s two faithful feline children, Molly and Holly will be sorely missing her as will many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service celebrating Laurel’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 2 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oaks Street. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at the church immediately following the memorial service. A reception will be in the social hall at the church following the inurnment. Memorial donations may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church of Helena, 400 S. Oakes St., Helena, MT 59601 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Laurel Wilson’s kitchen is closed.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday May 2, 2014
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 2, 0201
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the inurnment
Saturday May 2, 0201
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday May 2, 2014
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 2, 0201
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the inurnment
Saturday May 2, 0201
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oaks Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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Becky @ Jon Bass says
Dear Patti, Mary, and Nancy, and families,
Jon & I are praying for each of you during this most difficult time, and just Know how we are sadden by the passing of your wonderful mother, what a great friend and neighbor and friend she has been, and so many wonderful memories. She was the best cook, ever, and what a great friend to my mom, always calling her everyday, or VS. I can never thank her enough for that, and she was always baking my boys cookies. The wonderful cinnamon rolls, such a treat. I know each of you have a part of her, in you. Just know we care for each of you. PS. I will miss those peeks over the fence when I would come Home, just love to visit with her. AS I SAID, WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU ALL!!! JON & BECKY
Doug and Paula Paterson and family says
Patti, Mary, Nancy and families,
Paula and I are keeping all of you in our prayers during this difficult time. Davey called me early Sunday morning to tell me Laurel had passed away. It was always a great conversation with Laurel when we talked on the phone. Our last conversation was earlier this year and she always wanted to know how my family was doing and of course we had to discuss the weather. Talking about the weather must have been a Paterson family trait. She always took the time to update me on her grandkids. It does not seem like it was that long ago we had the big family gatherings at Grandma Paterson’s house. Your visits out to the farm when you came back to South Dakota was always a time for a big meal at the farm or at Grandmas. I contacted Curtis, Billy, Bruce and Paul yesterday about Laurel’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Doug Paterson
Debbie Fogler says
Dearest Cousins Patti, Mary and Nancy.
What a Very Strong and Special Woman your mother. I know it is a difficult time for all of you at this time my prayers are with you and your families.
It has been a true joy in my life too have the opportunity to have her not only as an Aunt but a friend. We to share recipes, love for our families, compared weather and most important lots of laughs. Her zest and love of life was so special!!
My thanks the three of you for keeping her in her home when it was difficult. I know it meant the world to her not to have let go of her pride and joy her home.
We now have another Angel watching over out families!!
With Love,
Cousin Deb
Nancy and David Paterson says
Patty, Mary and Nancy,
We are so sorry that Laurel passed away. I had a great visit with her a week ago and she sounded so good but was struggling with her breathing. I had a lot of fun instant messaging with her. It was like she lived right down the street not 1400 miles away. I can just hear her laugh when I would talk to her. She had such a great laugh. David says that Laurel’s kitchen might be closed but her wonderful memories can live on and on. David can remember his Uncle Jack and Aunt Laurel would come with their 3 girls in their Rambler car, all having to wear a seat belt. I didn’t even know what a seat belt was. Just one thing about how they were so ahead of times and now we wont go without one. When David would travel to see grandma Madeline she would show me swatches of fabric that Laurel had sent her. She was making dresses for the girls and then a photo with the finished product. Still to this day when I see an airstream camper I think of them and their many fun travels. We visited them and had a fun time on the Montana farm and saw first hand the hard work that they both did. No matter how old we are losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. Her goodness, caring and wisdom will live on. May the memory of her love surround you and bring you peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great sorrow.
Nancy and David Paterson
Jan Jacobson says
Dearest Mary, Patty, & Nancy,
Upon reading the obituary, it brought tears all over again, for your Mom was one of the sweetest, giving, happy Ladies and someone I was so proud to say was part of my family. I know this last month has been so difficult but so rewarding to have all of you taking turns doing 24 hour shifts to keep your mom/Laurel at home and in her own bed with her little “care-takers” Molly and Holly right by her side. Few people go the extra 100 yards as a family thus have time to reminisce all the wonderful times in her life and even pulling out the batons and doing a Helena High School Bengalette drill routine during these last days. I love you and send all my prayers to each of you.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Dear Mary,
We are saddened at the news that you lost your Mom. She was a lovely, gracious lady who always had a wonderful smile and warm, sincere greeting for us. She will surely be missed. Please know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time and have you in our prayers as you say Goodbye for now, knowing that she’ll be waiting for you to pick up where you left off with lots of great, fun family times.
Roger and Linda Anderson Family says
We are all saddened by the loss of our Aunt Laurel. I am looking at a photo that I took 25 years ago when she and Jack came to visit us in Rapid City. She’s pictured with my son and daughter who today are grown and have families of their own. But the coolest part of their visit was that they were here to attend a Jazz Festival! How cool was that! Laurel was always a communicator. She wrote a letter to her mother (Grandma Paterson) every day. Gram loved to read them out loud. Laurel would call at least once a week and Grandma would light up and talk loud enough to be heard in any room in her house. Once Laurel mastered the web, email, and cell phone – she went wild on FaceBook! Can you imagine who she talking to now. God Bless the Memories!
Jim and Kymn Anderson says
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beautiful mother. We enjoyed staying in touch with her and so loved hearing her stories! She was so proud of her family. I am sure you will always have her in your heart and in your wonderful memories. We sure wish we could have known her better and now wish we could come to pay our respects. The miles and circumstances will keep us from attending but know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Doris and Mark Annas says
Nancy-
Mom and I are both saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. I am sure you blessed her with many good memories which will be with her eternally. God will give you the strength to now live out the blessings she surely gave you.
Curt Paterson says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. it has been so long since we talked or seen each other. out of sight but never far from my heart and found memories. I too remember the visits to the farm and the rambler. I miss your mom and dad both. Take care and God bless!
Cousin Curt Paterson