Laura Schurman

Laura Lea Schurman (Thorson), 59, of Madison, WI beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and caring friend passed away peacefully at The Villa Middleton Village on Tuesday February 2, 2021.

Laura was born on March 13, 1961 in Minot North Dakota, to Alsie and William Thorson, and enjoyed the best bond with her siblings Alice, Bill, and Liz.

Laura grew up in the Madison area and graduated from West High School in 1979. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in psychology from Edgewood College in Madison all the while being a dedicated single mother to her son Daniel.

She had a strong work ethic, which was evident to all she met. She landed her dream job as an Insurance Account Executive at M3 Insurance Solutions, where she developed tremendous friendships with co-workers, and clients.  These friendships endured even after she took an early retirement.

She was a devoted Christian who found great strength in her faith.  She belonged to Good Shepard Lutheran Church, where she shared Jesus’s love with her son and family.

Family and friends were everything to Laura as she learned this from her amazing mother Alsie. Laura did not just have blood family but had many extended and adopted family members. She was a second mother to her son’s friends and watched many of them grow up and get married.

She enjoyed long walks with her dogs and just being outside. Most of all, Laura loved spending time with her son Daniel, whether that was attending Daniel's sporting events, or watching her beloved Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers or the Alabama Crimson Tide on TV together, or just talking.

During her last 9 years Laura fought a tough battle – through late-stage lung cancer and brain cancer.  She was determined to kick it, and she did.  Through it all, she could light up the room.  Laura fought to watch her son grow up, marry, and start a family. Laura would do anything for her son and family and friends, and that drove her to keep fighting through some of the hardest times anyone can endure.

Laura is survived by her son Daniel (Cynthia) Thomas, grandchildren Summer, Peyton, and Ethan; siblings Alice Thorson, Bill (Sandy) Thorson, Liz (Mike) Pekol, John (Mallie) Thorson, and Ron Kidd; nieces and nephews Lacie, Melissa, Billy, Anna, Jade, Kennedy, and Jillian; great-nephews Nathan, Connor, Brisbane, and Cody; stepmother Janice Thorson Houck and stepfather Larry Houck.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alsie and William Thorson, brother Christopher, grandparents Woodrow and Jettie Dulaney, and her aunt and uncle Martha and Buck Beasley.

Visitation for Laura will be held on Monday, February 8, from 1-2 PM at CRESS FUNERAL HOME,  3610 Speedway Road, Madison.  There will be a service to follow at 2 PM.   Private burial at Verona City Cemetery, Verona.

The long battle has finally been won, and Laura is at home with her family in heaven.

Mom, we are so lucky to have a woman like you in our lives. We are blessed to have a living example of how to have faith, patience, toughness, trust, and most of all love.

Momma. I love you more.