Laurie Jane Baukol-Mellem

Laurie Jane Baukol-Mellem passed away in her sleep early Sunday morning, April 30^th, 2023, at the age of 70 in Madison, Wisconsin.  Laurie is survived by her son Paul in Madison, brother David Baukol (Raul) of Pickerel Lake, SD, sisters Rosemarie Gors of Pierre, SD, Anne Risheim (Ivar) of Lillehammer, Norway, Mary Walter of Scottsdale, AZ, and her nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Harmon and Dorothy Baukol, and her husband, David Mellem.

Laurie was born on July 26^th, 1952 in Webster, South Dakota to Harmon and Dorothy Baukol.  She grew up there with her three sisters and one brother until graduating from Webster High School in 1970, after which she would move to Winona, MN to attend the College of Saint Teresa.   There she would receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 1974.  After working as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, she continued her education at the University of Washington in Seattle, and received her Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Nursing in 1977.

Laurie met David Mellem at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, WI.  They would later get married in her hometown, Webster, SD on May 17^th 1986.  They made their home in Madison, where their son Paul would be born in 1988.  After the passing of her husband in 2019, she resided at BrightStar Senior Living and made many friends there.

Laurie was active in many school activities and an excellent student.  Throughout her life she was known to have an excellent memory.  She was a lifeguard and swimming instructor during the summer.  Laurie and her family spent weekends and vacations at Pickerel Lake, swimming and water skiing.  She had many good friends from both high school and college.  She enjoyed traveling and spent several months traveling in Europe after college graduation.

Laurie loved her family.  She always kept in touch with her siblings and their families, and was very generous.  She was especially proud of her son, Paul, whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave. Madison. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. The burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2850 Dairy Dr #130, Madison, WI 53718. (www.heart.org)

Please share your memories of Laurie here on her Tribute Wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406