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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Eleanore “Ellie” Laurie
March 30, 1929 – December 26, 2024
Eleanore “Ellie” Laurie, 95, of Lake Linden, Michigan, passed away peacefully in Calumet on December 26, 2024. The daughter of Mae and Andrew Dudick, Ellie was born in Allouez on March 30, 1929. Ellie was known for her bright smile, her wonderful baked goods, her promptness, strength, honesty, tenacity, and independence.
Ellie’s early years were filled with adventure in the UP, and she cherished her close friendship with her childhood friend, Elaine. It was through these carefree days that she met the love of her life, Donald “Don” Laurie. The two were married in January 1951 and shared a loving partnership that lasted for over 47 years.
Together, Ellie and Don raised three wonderful sons: Donald “Don” (Lynn) of Vacaville, California; Terry (Lori) of Allouez, Michigan; and Gerald “Jerry” of Kingman, Arizona. Ellie took great pride in her role as a mother and later as a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her grandkids – Connie (Bill), Donald (Michelle), Jamie (Travis Fairbanks), Jessie (Christopher Windy), Kristie, and Geri Danielle – were the light of her life, and she was overjoyed to welcome great-grandchildren Amelia, Joyce, Tristan, Emma, Alice, and Gage into the family.
Ellie loved being outside and spent many happy days camping, traveling out West, attending concerts in the park, and taking leisurely Sunday drives with Don. Her warm, sunny personality also led her to embrace the warm weather, and in 2002, she moved to Vacaville, California, to enjoy milder winters and be closer to her eldest son and his family. While in California, Ellie was very active, loved lounging by her pool, making pasties, cookies, povitica, and other desserts, and grand marnier (her recipe made its way to Germany), and shopping and going out to lunch with her friends. In 2015, she relocated to Kingman, Arizona, to be near her youngest son, before finally returning to Michigan in 2016 to live next door to her childhood friend in Lake Linden.
Ellie was a woman of many talents and interests. She worked at the dime store, at the hospital for several years, and cared for a friend’s children while they worked. She was always putting others first, always willing to help out or lend a listening ear, and was well-known for her kind, helpful nature. Ellie was adored not only by her family, but by her friends in California and Michigan and her fellow residents of Rustic Meadows in Lake Linden.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Gerald, sister-in-law Mildred and her husband Emil Plante, and nephew Dale and his wife Carol Plante.
Ellie is survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Barbara Laurie of Laurium; sons Don and Terry; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends but will always be remembered with love and fondness.
A celebration of Ellie’s remarkable life will be held in the summer of 2025 in Calumet. Online condolences can be made at Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Ellie to Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly Upper Michigan Chapter or the charity of your choice are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
