LAURIE L. KULESA, age 64, of Thorp, WI, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. A Celebration of Life to honor Laurie will be held at the Gilman Senior Center, in Gilman, WI, on Saturday, December 12, 2026 from 11am to 4pm.
Laurie Lynn Teeters was born on June 26, 1962 in Chicago, IL to William S. and Elaine P. (Smith) Teeters. She was raised and received her education in Illinois, and at the age of 17, moved to Lublin, WI to live with her grandparent’s and work on her uncle’s farm.. Laurie was united in marriage to Jeffery L. Kulesa on September 19, 1981 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gilman, WI. Together they lived and raised two daughters in the Town of Taft, rural Gilman.
Throughout the years, Laurie was primarily a homemaker and was at home raising her two daughters, but also held various jobs, including; working at the Thorp IGA and G.O. Sportswear in Thorp, working at the Aurora Group Home in Thorp as Certified Nursing Assistant at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, WI. She then worked as a telemarketer in Eau Claire for a year before retiring in 2002 due to her health.
She had many interests, but especially loved having her nails done, a good cup of coffee, her animals and birds, going out to eat and for car rides, fishing, camping, canning, gardening and playing pool when she was younger. Laurie was later cared for lovingly by her husband Jeff that was her primary caretaker the last 6 years to keep her at home devoting care for her to be able to remain at home.
Laurie will be dearly missed by her husband and loving partner for 45 years, Jeff, of Thorp; her daughters: Danielle (Brad) Wik of Altoona, WI, and Tracie (Fritz) Dietrich of Augusta, WI; 4 grandchildren: Hattie Dietrich, Austin Wik, Jennah Wik (Drew Peoples), and Dallas (Shelby) Wik; one great-granddaughter, Norah Roberts; 2 brothers: William (Mary) Teeters of Stanley, WI, and Kevin (Sharon) Teeters of Marshfield, WI; her half-brother, Ben (A.J.) Teeters of Rockford, IL; her brother and sister-in-law, Joel (Val) Kulesa of Thorp; her sister-in-law, Linda Kulesa of Thorp; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Kristi Teeters.
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