Laura Mirr

When reflecting on the life of Laura Mirr, it is easy to see how her love radiated to all who were near. She put her heart and soul into everything she did, and she was passionate about the people and things she loved. A devoted wife and mother, Laura treasured these roles, but it was easy to see that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother to her amazing grandson. Known for her incredible work ethic, she also took the time to enjoy life along the way. One of the sweetest, most generous people around, there was no one who met her and left unchanged. Laura leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

It seems only fitting that Laura’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as she was. It was the 1950s when James Dean and Marilyn Monroe were household names, and with Elvis Presley’s rock ’n roll music the industry was never the same. This was also the decade when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, and as the decade drew to a close we welcomed Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1951 when Jack and Carol (Leichnitz) King were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the beauty of summer unfolded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their wait was over on June 24th when the baby girl they named Laura Lee drew her first breath. She was the oldest of four King children as she was raised in the family home on Norwich Avenue in St. Francis alongside her siblings, Dave, Jack, and Nancy. Her father was a mechanic while her mother was a devoted homemaker.

In many ways Laura was a young girl of her generation. Their family made priceless memories vacationing in the Wisconsin Dells several times, visiting Storybook Gardens. As the oldest, Laura enjoyed teaching her younger sister how to crochet. Before her family moved from West Allis to St. Francis Laura met her friend Joycie when they were just five. Laura and Joyce went on to become lifelong friends. While in high school she also played the clarinet in the band in addition to holding down her studies. Known for her strong work ethic throughout her life, Laura worked as a car hop at the A & W. Her father taught her how to drive as a teen, and when she got her 1965 blue rag-top Impala, she affixed “flower power” decals all over it. Laura’s car was something to remember. She was devastated when her high school sweetheart, John Hackle, was drafted.

As a young woman, Laura married. Although her marriage later ended in divorce, she was forever grateful for the births of her two children, Andrea “Annie” in 1973 and Steve in 1975. To support her children, Laura worked at EZ Painter, DF Corp, and later at Aldrich Chemical. Laura’s work ethic was remarkable, and she took her work responsibilities very seriously.

New and exciting changes were in store for Laura when she met the man with whom she would spend the best years of her life. His name was Tom Mirr, and he asked her to go fishing. Laura was more than happy to accept his invitation, and Tom said, “Good, let’s start with a fish fry.” Their first date led to more dates, and Laura and Tom were married on April 6, 1996. She also became a stepmother to Tom’s son, Josh. In addition, they were “parents” to many dogs over the years including Moby and Max. Laura also loved her four-legged grand-puppies in Florida and Arizona. In 2009, Laura and Tom traveled to Lake Tahoe to attend Annie and Jim's wedding. She was later filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother with the birth of her grandson, Zackery. Laura and Tom made several trips to Arizona to spend time with Zack. Laura treasured every moment she had to spend with him, and she looked forward to traveling to visit him in Arizona.

Throughout her life Laura was a woman of many interests. She was an avid crocheter who crocheted several bins of clothes seven to eight years before her grandson was even born! Laura was very creative and loved doing various crafts, particularly quilling. It has been said that she leaves behind an unbelievable stash of yarn and craft supplies! When it came to music, Laura liked classic country and western, bluegrass, and classic rock. Her favorite television show was Blue Bloods and Moonstruck was one of her favorite movies. Laura was an avid Packers fan, enjoyed fishing with Tom, and looked forward to eating crab legs on New Year’s every year.

Truly beautiful on the inside and out, Laura Mirr was a blessing to everyone she met. She was both affectionate and generous, and she could even be a bit stubborn when it came to things she was passionate about. Life was not always easy for Laura, but she bravely faced whatever came her way with great courage. Laura loved being a wife and mom, but it was easy to see that the sun rose and set with her grandson. Deeply loved, she will never be forgotten.

Laura Mirr died on December 11, 2016. Linda’s family includes her husband, Thomas mother, Carol King; children, Andrea (James) Sensecqua and Steven (Angela) Kuiper; step-son, Joshua Mirr; grandson, Zackery Kuiper; siblings, Dave (Linda) King, Jack (Paula) King, and Nancy Havey; several, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Laura was preceded in death by her father, Jack King and her dog Max. Family and friends will gather at the Niemann Suminski Funeral Home, 2486 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m.