Marilyn V. Laughter

Marilyn Virginia Laughter, 82, of Onalaska, Wis., and formerly of Holdrege, Neb., passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, August 15, 2021.

She was born in Holdrege, Neb., on April 26, 1939, to Harold and Bernice (Burgeson) Johnson. She attended Holdrege schools and graduated from Holdrege High School in 1957. She then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kearney State College in Kearney, Neb., and her MBA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

On July 6, 1962, Marilyn married Jack Laughter in Holdrege, Neb. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Okinawa, Japan after Jack’s deployment with the Air Force and eventually settled in Dennison, Iowa, after stops in Ft. Worth, Texas and Ft. Madison, Iowa. Upon Jack’s death in 1973, Marilyn moved her family back to Holdrege, where she began her 23-year career with Becton, Dickinson, retiring in 1999. She moved to Onalaska in 2002 where she became active in the Matthew 25 program through the YWCA and the Stephen Ministry at Onalaska United Methodist Church.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Mike (Cindy) Laughter of Lincoln, Neb., and Stacy (Thomas) Wilk of Onalaska; five grandchildren, Jack (Kaylin) Laughter, Kassandra (Harry) Brogan, and Cecilia Laughter, all of Lincoln, Neb., Baylea Wilk of Phoenix, Ariz., and Shailyn Wilk of Onalaska, Wis.; and four great grandchildren, Michael, Harrison and Ryker Brogan, and Carly Laughter, all of Lincoln. She is also survived by a sister, Eileen (Steve) Espinoza of Colorado; and a brother, Gary “Bud” (Jaimie) Johnson of Pennsylvania. In addition to her husband, Jack, Marilyn was also preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Leah Dietrich and PA Eileen Williams, the wonderful staff in the Oncology Department at Gundersen Health System, and the extra special people who cared for Mom through Gundersen Hospice.

A gathering for family and friends will take place on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 907 Sand Lake Rd., Onalaska, beginning with a short tribute service at 11:00 a.m. and continuing until 1:00 p.m. There will also be a service scheduled for the spring of 2022 in Holdrege, Neb. Memorials may be directed to the La Crosse County Women’s Wellness Program. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.