Laura J. Bouchard
September 05, 1924 - December 21, 2014
Obituary
Bouchard, Laura Julia
MADISON-Laura Julia Bouchard, age 90, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at the Four Winds Nursing Home in Verona. She was born on the family farm in Bear Creek, Wis., to Fred and Ellen (Maxwell) Nelson on Sept. 5, 1924. She married Fay Draper in 1945 and together they had six children, three boys and three girls. They, as a family, lived in and around the Richland Center area for many years. Laura and her children spent many nights listening and singing along to country music on the radio. She also spent many hours reading the Bible to her children and was known for her good cooking and her yodeling. Laura later moved to Madison and married Richard Bouchard, and together they had a daughter. Together they traveled within the country, and every summer went to a resort in northern Wisconsin. Laura worked for the U.W. Hospital in the housekeeping department for 30 years. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Madison, and in her later years sold her house on Milwaukee Street and resided in senior independent living at Sherman Glen Apartments in Madison. Laura was also a member of the senior citizen center at Warner Park. She enjoyed the many trips that both places provided and made many lasting friendships. Laura is survived by her children, Rudy (Cathy) Draper of Richland Center, Gene (Coleen) Draper of McFarland-Stoughton, Elaine Anderson of Belleville, Colleen (Pete) Ringgenberg of Belleville, Gerald Draper of Marshall, Kim (Ron) Werger of Garnavillo, Iowa, and Darilyn Bradley of Mazomanie-Sauk City; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Norbert (Betty) Nelson of Richland Center; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Nelson of Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Darrell and Norman Nelson; sister, Hulda (Ferdinand) Louis; and son-in-law, Dale “Bub” Anderson. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, with the Rev. Mark Bartels presiding. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. We, as Laura’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends will miss her. We all will carry our very own memories of what she meant to each of us as we all were blessed with individually knowing her in our lives. God blessed us in our lives with her, and she now lives without pain in Heaven. She lived as God planned for her. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Dec 27, 2014 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Madison) • 734 Holy Cross Way, Madison, WI 53714
Service
Sat Dec 27, 2014 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Madison) • 734 Holy Cross Way, Madison, WI 53714
Photos
No photos of Laura have been shared yet.
Memories
TG
Traci Graves
Other •
I am so glad I went to visit Grandma a few weeks before her passing. Mom wasn't there at the time, so Grandma and I just talked and talked for awhile. She couldn't believe she was actually 90 years old! I will remember visits with Brandon and my mom at her apt. in Sherman Glen, and Brandon remembers getting cookies every time he was there. I fondly remember times at Grandma's house when Grandpa Dick was still around, the smell of the baked chicken filled the house, the airplanes that constantly flew over the house that still scared me a little, and playing games downstairs in the basement. She will be missed, but now she can rejoin her husband and watch us from above.
T
Tara
Other •
Sending prayers and my condolences to the family of an amazing women.
T Renard
JM
Julia McGinley
Other •
she was a loving women, and so strong willed, I will remember all the memories we had together. I want to dedicate the song one sweet day to her its such a sweet and spiritual song and is a promised song that we will all see her again. God rest her soul
MG
Maria George
Other •
Laura was such a sweet lady. She roomed with my mom ( Lina Marini - Lina passed on Aug. 18, 2014 ) at Maplewood Nursing Home. Laura would always tell me if my mom was not being taken care of properly. She was a very strong willed person. We had some very good chats. We sure missed her when she left Maplewood. My condolences to the family. Maria George
HW
Hope Weichbrod
Other •
So many wonderful memories of a loving woman. Lawn jarts, broasted chicken, her famous baked beans. Her potato chip cookies have become a must have holiday treat with my family. Yahtzee :) She always loved me unconditionally- such a rare find in today's world. The years Bridget and I were blessed to live next door to her, I think that was divine intervention. Thank you Laura for all that you did and for the example you set. I can hear Dick now asking if you want to go on a "short trip".
BJ
Bridget Johnson
Other •
Laura, I don't know where to even begin. I love you like you are my grandma, You always thought of me as one of your grandchildren. You have really inspired a lot of people. You are a one of a kind person. Not many people would or could love like you do. I miss you so much. I remember all the talks we had and how you helped me out when I thought my world was ending. You always knew what to say and what to do. I remember as a little kid talking to you about mcdonalds. you looked at me with a huge grin and said if you keep eating there you're going to turn into a mcdonalds. You always made me laugh. you always made others, including myself smile. If ever anyone were to cry around you for any reason you would hold us and say don't cry and just talk so sweet. and then we would stop crying, even the last time I saw you. you were for sure an angel on this earth and I can see why God needs you up there. He always wants his angels back.