Laurel A. Koehler

Laurel Anne Koehler of Superior - wife, mother, sister, and friend - passed away on Monday January 20, 2020.  She was 67 years old.   Laurel was born on January 27, 1952 to Lincoln and Francis (Peterson) Starstead of Billings Park in Superior, WI.  Growing up in a family of six children, life was filled with speed skating on frozen lakes, summers at the cabin, and water skiing three across, and sometimes on her brother’s shoulders.

After graduating from Superior Senior High in 1970 with perfect attendance, Laurel traveled to Europe on $5 a day with her sister Marilyn, worked as a cook at Camp Nebagamon, and met a charming man who proposed after five lovely days.  Laurel married the love of her life, Joe Koehler on January 31, 1976 and they would have celebrated forty-four years of marriage this week. He fulfilled his promise of never letting her have a dull moment in life.  They built a life in the Minneapolis, MN suburbs and Superior, WI with three children and a dog.  She was a loving mother to her children and the neighborhood kids as consummate “pool mom” along with a perennial school chaperone, classroom Mom, and chauffeur for three active kids.  Laurel could be found at every kid’s game, meet, or match sporting the sweatshirt supporting her child’s team.  She cared for many including aging parents, family, friends, and dogs.  Laurel enjoyed reading, gardening, and Taco Tuesdays at Lake Minnesuing.  After years working in customer service, she was recently employed as an active grandmother to six grandkids and supporting her husband in his business while keeping him out of too much trouble.

Laurel is survived by her husband Joseph Koehler; sisters Margie Lange and Marilyn Lange; children, Alycia Dammer (Ken), Bethany Koehler Franz (Jeremiah) and Andrew Koehler (Nina); six grandchildren, Henry, Olivia, Harper, Graham, Everett, and Pierce.  She is preceded in death by her parents Lincoln and Francis Starstead and brothers Theodore, William, and Robert Starstead.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to friends, family, and Essentia Health Hospice and Solvay Hospice House for their support.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior with a scripture service scheduled at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at St. Francis Xavier Church and continue until the 11:00 AM Memorial Mass with Rev. James Tobolski as celebrant.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Laurel’s name to the Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com .