Laura Lynn Taurianen, known affectionately to many as Sticks or Snail, embarked on her final adventure, leaving us with a treasure trove of laughter and memories on March 17, 2026. Born in Royal Oak, Michigan to Wallace and Edna on June 26, 1968, she spent 57 exuberant years crafting a life story that would rival the most captivating of novels.
Laura, a woman who could find humor in the mundane and possessed the rare talent to turn a frown upside down, was a walking testament to the power of joy and resilience. Her journey began at Troy Athens High School, where she was as much a student of the classroom as she was of the school of life, mastering the fine art of forging enduring friendships and sharing hearty laughs.
Her professional odyssey was varied, as she was talented in many things. Laura's resume read like the chapters of an epic saga, from aiding the police department to enlightening minds in adult education. She even took the wheel as a bus driver, steering through life's literal and metaphorical traffic with a smile.
In Midland, MI, where she drew her last breath, Laura faced her chronic illness with the same spirit that she tackled every karaoke night—head-on and with a full heart. Her battle was long and fought with the same grace and humor that characterized her entire life.
Laura's legacy lives on through her daughter, Tricia (James) Wackerle, and her sons, Kyle McCall and Austin (William) McCall. They carry with them not just her DNA, but her infectious laughter, her knack for storytelling, and her recipe for Finnish Pancakes—though they all agree that no one could quite replicate it like her.
She also leaves behind her significant other, Ron, her sister-in-law, her nieces and nephews, and many fur babies; Zena, Suki, Bynx, Moki, and Lil Dude, all of whom she cared for deeply.
Laura cherished her children and was very active in their lives as they grew. She was classroom mom, cheer mom, football mom, scout mom, band mom, and had her hands in anything she could to be present for her children.
Laura also passed on her love for reading, crafting, and living life to the fullest. She was often found with her nose in a book - specifically thriller or mystery novels, needle and thread in hand - sewing many Halloween costumes throughout the years, or belting out the classics at karaoke night with a voice that could only be described as "enthusiastically off-key." And let's not forget the countless evenings she spent with a bingo card in her hand, always with the hope of that elusive win.
Laura was the embodiment of adventure, her life a tapestry of funny anecdotes and friendly encounters. She never met a stranger, only friends she hadn't yet made laugh. Her spirit was as infectious as her humor, and she left an indelible mark on every soul fortunate enough to cross her path.
So let us not say goodbye to Laura Lynn Taurianen. Instead, let's celebrate a life well-lived, a journey filled with love, laughter, and the occasional off-pitch serenade. Her story doesn't end here; it lives on in the echoes of her laughter and in the hearts of everyone who loved her. Here's to Laura, the woman who taught us that life, no matter its trials, is a comedy to be embraced with open arms and a wide smile.
If you would like to make a donation in her name, we ask that you honor her memory with a donation to the Paisley Paws fund at Gasow Veterinary Hospital where her daughter works.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6XSAGZMK5XFTY
To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan.