MONROE/BLANCHARDVILLE - Laurie Ann Rear, age 51 of Monroe, formerly of Blanchardville, died after a short battle with cancer on Friday, June 1, 2012 at her sister, Nancy's home in Palm Harbor, Florida surrounded by her family. She was born on August 9, 1960 in Dodgeville to Betty Colleen (Swenson) Griffiths. She grew up in Hollandale and graduated from the Pecatonica High School in 1978. She graduated from the Fennimore Technical College after two years. She was married on August 20, 1983 in the Hollandale Lutheran Church to Bruce Clifford Rear. They lived in Blanchardville after they were married. Laurie and Bruce farmed together for a while. Laurie also cleaned homes and worked as a secretary for E&N Hughes in Monroe. They lived in Blanchardville for many years, then moved to Juda, and then settled in Monroe in 1992. For the last 10 years she worked at the Monroe Clinic as a transcriptionist and recently as the physical therapy receptionist. Laurie loved life, especially her ocean, the peace and tranquility it gave her when she was there. She also loved fishing. Laurie was there for everyone and was a wonderful wife and mother, aunt and beloved sister. Her children and her 28 year marriage were her greatest accomplishment. She was so proud of her children and her husband.
Laurie is survived by her husband, Bruce Rear of Monroe; three children, Lindsay (Paul) Chmielewski of Monroe, Traci Rear of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Michael Rear of Monroe; two sisters, Nancy (Richard) Anderson of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Lisa (Ron) Krause of Blanchardville; one brother, Mike (Flora) Griffiths of Blanchardville; her mother-in-law, Doris (Rollie) Rear-Hustad of New Glarus; brothers and sister in law, Frank Rear, Brian Rear and Connie Moen; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Colleen Griffiths who died in February, 2007; and her father-in-law, Clifford Rear, Jr. who died in 1989.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, June 6, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville at the intersection of highways 78 & 39. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
A very special thank you to her palliative care team at the Monroe Clinic and for all her friends that she worked with.
Laurie is survived by her husband, Bruce Rear of Monroe; three children, Lindsay (Paul) Chmielewski of Monroe, Traci Rear of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Michael Rear of Monroe; two sisters, Nancy (Richard) Anderson of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Lisa (Ron) Krause of Blanchardville; one brother, Mike (Flora) Griffiths of Blanchardville; her mother-in-law, Doris (Rollie) Rear-Hustad of New Glarus; brothers and sister in law, Frank Rear, Brian Rear and Connie Moen; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Colleen Griffiths who died in February, 2007; and her father-in-law, Clifford Rear, Jr. who died in 1989.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, June 6, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville at the intersection of highways 78 & 39. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
A very special thank you to her palliative care team at the Monroe Clinic and for all her friends that she worked with.