Laurie Johnston

     With family surrounding her, Laurie Sue Johnston of Saratoga, Wyoming joined the ranks of the angels and made her way back to her Creator on August 16th, 2024.

     Laurie spent her childhood with skinned up knees, being a tomboy, all while keeping up and setting the pace for her four brothers in Beaver City, Nebraska. Among her many talents, Laurie became an accomplished seamstress and loved making her own clothes. After high school, her love of athletics and the Nebraska Cornhuskers drove her decision to attend the University of Nebraska. As a Husker, she was a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority, volleyball, and track teams.

     Her road to Wyoming started with a glimpse of a basketball player and a long car ride home with Bobby Johnston. With love at first sight, Bobby Johnston and Laurie Harper were married on June 25th, 1977. The young couple planted roots in Saratoga, Wyoming where they raised their three boys, James, Joseph, and Jacob. She later received her daughters, Adrienne, Amy, and Kate, as her sons were married. She loved taking “girls” shopping trips where no Hobby Lobby was ever passed.

     First and foremost, she always had time for her boys. Mom always raced us to the door and woke up early to keep tabs on us before we “got loose.” Late nights studying subjects to help with homework, cheering at every home and road contest, humming songs while she rocked sick children, countless card games, and the sound of the piano, are all memories that will be cherished.

     Laurie S. Johnston was preceded in death by her father James R. Harper, Grandparents Joseph E. Dockins, Ida E. Moffatt, Leo C. Harper, Mabel L. Thompson, and Father and Mother-in-Law, Bob G. and Grace I. Johnston.

     Her legacy will live on through husband Robert E. Johnston, sons; James (Adrienne) Johnston (Bryce and Collyer), Joseph (Amy) Johnston (Hunter and Trayton), Jacob (Kate) Johnston (Rowan and Brant), mother Julie Harper, and brothers Michael, Daniel (Vicki), Kevin, and Blaine (Diane) Harper.

     With a red sweater on game-day, pacing and too nervous to watch, a cheer of “keep working!” at every sporting event, chocolate for every meal, over forty years of coaching, and playing music and singing in the church, her mark of kind-heartedness and energy will be missed by all that knew Laurie well. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Saratoga.