Anita K Laabs

MOUNT HOREB - Anita (Villarreal) Laabs, of Mount Horeb, peacefully passed away Aug. 16, 2023, at the age of 56, surrounded by her husband of 32 years and her children. Anita battled cancer for many months, showing her strength and courage while relying on the love and support of many friends and family. Anita was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy, and daughter, Ruth. Anita was the loving wife of Chris; wonderful mother to Veronica, Charles, and Noah; sister to Christine Hude and Nicholas Villarreal; and daughter to Bolivar “Bud” Villarreal.

Anita was born in Chicago, Ill., to Bud and Nancy (Casalino) Villarreal. She was raised in Addison, Ill., a graduate of Addison Trail High School, and later attended college at Rochester Institute of Technology which led to a career in printing. While working at a printing company in Illinois, Anita met Chris. They were married in Melrose Park, Ill., and lived in Chicago’s western suburbs for several years at which time Anita stayed home to raise their daughter.

Chris and Anita moved to Black Earth, Wis., in 1995 because of a work opportunity for Chris. In the years following, their two sons were born and Anita was able to remain home for them while working part time at Lands’ End. As the youngest child approached school age, Anita decided to attend UW-Platteville to pursue a new career in education, which lasted 15 years.  

Upon graduation, she was led to the Lodi Middle School to teach 7th grade Math and Language Arts. After the family moved to Mount Horeb, Anita later took a position as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at the Mount Horeb Middle School. Mrs. Laabs was very passionate about the education, care, and support of the students. She loved working with the middle school age kids, and provided motivation and inspiration to many young people over the years. Beyond the classroom, she was able to share her multiple skills and talents with the after-school knitting club. During her time teaching in Mount Horeb, Anita also enjoyed working part time at the flagship store of Duluth Trading Company.

In 2022, Anita decided to offer her teaching and mentoring talents to the Badger Precollege program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. As the Program Coordinator, Anita and team provided opportunities for middle school and high school students from all over the world to experience the classes and clinics of UW-Madison through summer camp sessions. Anita’s passion for education extended through the Badger Precollege program of which she remained involved, even through her battle with cancer.

The huge amount of dedication and passion Anita provided in her work experiences was no match to the love, drive, inspiration, and laughter that she brought to her children. The dedication to her family included hundreds of hours following the musical activities of all three children over the past 20 years. Her desire for her family to have new experiences was successful when she taught, as well as performed various dance, trapeze, and juggling acts with them at the Mazomanie Movement Arts Center. Her love for the outdoors also extended to her family in the form of kayaking, hiking, and gardening.

Anita surrounded herself with many circles of friends and colleagues. Although each circle contained varying interests, her enthusiasm, humor and endearing qualities were part of everything she participated in, whether teaching, curling, or knitting. Her seemingly endless talents were enjoyed and shared with those that were close to her.

A memorial service will be held at EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 315 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Visitation will be held at church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. A time for fellowship will follow the

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your choice of the following: the Anita Laabs Memorial Scholarship fundraising page (https://gofund.me/72df11bd), or the Anita Laabs memorial campaign for the UW Carbone Cancer Center (https://give.wiscmedicine.org/fundraiser/4887556?is_new=true). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077