LAURIE MAY BOBOLTZ

Laurie May Beuschel was born in Grand Rapids on March 3, 1961, to Paul and Frances (Frank) Beuschel, and she grew up on the family dairy farm in Caledonia. Laurie was a good student. She worked hard to put herself through school at several colleges, eventually earning a degree in Medical Technology from Grand Valley State University.

After college, Laurie took a temp job in the lab at Alpena General Hospital, never imagining Alpena would become her forever home. She met Alpena native James Boboltz after three different people tried to set them up on a blind date, and they were married on May 16, 1992.

Laurie was a devoted wife and mother, dedicating countless hours to her children’s schooling and activities, including ferrying her daughter (and often her friends, too) to figure skating events all over the state. She was considered a “second mother” by many, and her generosity and selflessness knew no bounds.

Laurie retired from her job at the hospital in 2015. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and enjoyed gardening, quilting, cooking, reading, and traveling. She traveled throughout Western Europe and was working her way through all 50 states. Laurie loved hosting family dinners and coming up with new recipes for everyone to try — her scones were favorites. She always had an ongoing project for friends or family — quilts, cross-stitch, embroidery, even clothing. She also loved music and could be heard singing along to John Denver or her favorite hymns, which she continued to sing aloud even when attending church from home during the pandemic.

Laurie was overjoyed at becoming a grandmother in 2021. Her son and his family had just moved back to Alpena from Traverse City, and she was so looking forward to taking over part-time care for her granddaughter and celebrating her granddaughter’s first birthday.

Surviving are her husband, Jim; children, Taylour Boboltz and Wyatt (Chelsea) Boboltz; granddaughter, Nora; her mother, Fran Beuschel; two siblings, Paul Beuschel and Brenda Beuschel; nine nieces, one nephew, and many great-nieces and -nephews.

Laurie was preceded in death by her father, Paul Beuschel.

Memorial visitation will take place on Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12 noon with Rev. James Erickson officiating. Cremation arrangements are being handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Huron Humane Society.