Laura Van Erem, 52, Fertile, MN, lost her life unexpectedly from injuries sustained in a tragic motor vehicle accident, along with her mother Nancy Sand on Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Grand Forks, ND.
Laura was born November 9, 1968 in Bemidji, MN to Raymond and Nancy (Larson) Sand. She became the baby sister to her older sister Lynda. Laura grew up and attended school in the Bemidji/Solway area. She was active in 4-H, taking pride in showing her horse and chickens each year. She loved the outdoors and would often times be found there, riding horse, camping, snowmobiling, skating or building some sort of fort in the woods.
Laura’s pride and joy were her 3 daughters, Brianna, Hayley and Molly. Life wasn’t always easy when Brianna and Hayley were younger, but Laura made do with what she had and taught them to be strong, independent young women, of which she was extremely proud. She loved spending time with them. She and Molly would often run to Grand Forks to shop, stop and see Grandma and Poppa, or head to Hallock to visit auntie Lynda. Laura also had 3 grandsons that meant the world to her. She loved having sleepovers with them and spoiling them as every grandma should do.
Laura was a hard worker. She worked at Marvin Window’s, Polaris, Polk County Social Services, and most recently started at Digi-key, a job she was loving.
Laura loved animals her entire life. She most recently took pride in her small hobby farm in Fertile, MN where she was raising 3 horses, 25 chickens, 6 ducks and 4 dogs. She would take in a stray animal every chance she got. She loved gathering her eggs everyday and provided her family with the extras.
Laura was an avid Vikings fan and attended several games at the Metrodome with her sister, Lynda. When she wasn’t in attendance at a game, you can be sure she was cheering them on while watching them on television or listening on the radio.
Laura loved to travel and you never knew where she and her husband Peter might run off to for a week, weekend or even a day.
Laura’s parents lived nearby and she was able to spend a lot of time with them the last few years. She enjoyed having them over for a weekly meal, afternoon coffee or an evening cocktail.
Laura loved trying a new recipe. She spent countless hours canning and freezing garden produce alongside her mom, Nancy. Laura also learned the art of lefse making, which she shared with the girls. Laura had a huge heart and a generous soul. When she loved, she loved hard. She had an infectious laugh and could light up any room.
Laura is survived by her husband, Peter Van Erem; father, Raymond Sand; sister (and best friend), Lynda (Tom) Spindler; daughters, Brianna (Lucas) Goulet, Hayley (Eric) Viken, and Molly Van Erem; grandsons, Aaron, Weston and Jaxson Goulet; nephews, Shawn (Brianna) Spindler, Ryan (Tiffany) Spindler, Jeremy (Molly) Spindler, and Dan (Kaitlyn) Spindler; great nieces, Hadley, Chesley and Parker Spindler; great nephews, Hudson and Greyson Spindler; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
Funeral: 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All must wear a mask to attend.
Visitation: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
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