Laura June Lockwood

Laura Lockwood, 74, died peacefully on December 30 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's. She was born on June 8, 1951 in Manistique, Michigan, the eldest of Ben and Gladys Lockwood’s five children. Gladys was the daughter of Swedish immigrants; Ben was a carpenter with native-American ancestry. Late in life, Laura was proud of that ancestry and of her elder status in the Sault Ste. Marie tribe.

Laura grew up in the UP, the big sister to her four rambunctious brothers. Later she chose a career that fit her abiding goal of helping others. While a single mom with two young children she managed to complete her studies at Northern Michigan (BA) and Michigan State (MSW) to become a social worker. During her career, she did the all hard work we ask of social workers, including the last few years as a school social worker at Lakewood, MI.

Laura brought the same compassion that fueled her work to her personal life. She was a gifted listener, intent on understanding others, not judging them. And she had an infectious smile that could light up a room and every heart in it.

What were a few of her favorite things? A glass of wine and conversation after a long day. Long walks, taking nature pictures along the way. Listening and singing along to music of all sorts, from Irish trad to folk to boomer rock—Gordon Lightfoot, Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and the Eagles were some of her favorites. Later in life, travel with her husband, Norb, and close friends (the Oas’s, the Morelands, the Enchanted April crew). An opportunity to live abroad part-time made Canterbury England and new friends there special. And most of all, her family--to help them whenever she could, and to share in their sorrows and their joys.

She is survived by her loving husband, Norbert Kerr; her mother and step-father, Gladys and Don Linderoth; three children, Nicole Senkbeil, Ben Demers, & Justin Caine and their spouses, Brian, Judy, and Meaghan; three brothers, Jeff, Jim, and Paul Lockwood; three step-sons, Ben Kerr, Gabriel Kerr, and Josh Wald-Kerr; and six grandchildren, Dakota & Grace Senkbeil, Felicity & Silas Caine, and Judah & Birdie Kerr.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ben Lockwood, and by her brother, Adrian Lockwood.

In lieu of flowers, send memorial contributions to Hospice of Lansing or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Because most of Laura’s family and friends are scattered across the country and the world, there won’t be a local funeral. There will be a short visitation for locals to pay their respects on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 10:00am until 12:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912. A memorial celebration of Laura’s life will be held in the near future. Inquiries regarding future services may be sent to [email protected] or click the "Get Reminders" button on the funeral home obituary page.