Laurel Lynn Jansen

Laurel Lynn Jansen (nee Fifelski) was one in a million, much like her diagnosis. After a brief but fierce battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, she left this world the same way she lived in it -- on her own terms, surrounded by love, and having made an impression on everyone she ever met.

Born and raised in Dorr, Michigan, Laurie never saw a reason to leave. Why would she? She and Larry married in 1972, bought some property on the edge of town, and spent the next 54 years building a life together. A cozy little family of two daughters, a yard she tended with quiet pride, a cold beer at the ready, and weekend getaways with her girls. Those were the things she loved.

For years, Laurie was a familiar sight along the rural routes of Dorr, delivering mail for the USPS and waving from the window of her truck. Many in the community knew her simply as "the mail lady"-- a title she wore like a badge of honor. When the day finally came to hand in her keys, the community made sure she knew just how much she'd meant to them. In true Dorr parade fashion, friends and family lined 142nd Avenue to send her off in style. There was an entire fleet of mail trucks, freshly washed pickups, and flashing lights all the way down the road, with a wrecker bringing up the caboose. But the detail that said everything? Her mail truck was escorted by “Floyd,” the old fire truck once operated by her father, Floyd, during his years as Fire Chief of Dorr — and Floyd the truck has a story every bit as good as Floyd the man. The truck had spent its early days serving Dorr in the late 1940s and for about three decades before eventually being sold off and passed through other departments, finally retiring somewhere in northern Michigan. It was Laurie’s brother, Bill, who tracked it down and bought it back — for a steal of $3,500 — tired and worn, but with a spirit that spoke to him. Bill knew exactly who to call. He enlisted Larry, Laurie’s husband, who at the time did side work in autobody. It took about two years, but Larry brought Floyd back to life, finishing it with a fresh coat of fire red paint. At the time, Larry wouldn’t have said he enjoyed the project. Looking back, it’s one of the best things he ever did. Floyd now lives in the pole barn of Laurie’s nephew, Billy, a treasured heirloom for the family and the whole community of Dorr. He makes his appearances at the annual Fourth of July parade, at weddings, and for the occasional special funeral procession. The day Floyd led Laurie’s final postal ride back to the post office, it was Larry behind the wheel — the man who had once grudgingly restored it, leading the way. It was the kind of send-off only Laurie could have inspired.

She had a heart of gold and a smile she couldn't turn off, even when she was trying to be mad about something. She enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports, keeping her yard in shape, and loving everything — and everyone — around her. She made it look effortless, because for her, it was.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry Jansen; daughters Rebecca (Rob) Harris and Jaclyn (Paul) VanWagner; grandchildren Jarred and Austin VanderMarkt, and Madeline and Justin VanWagner; siblings Connie Holbrook, Norm (Nancy) Fifelski, Mary (Darryl) Rettig, Elise (Mark) DeYoung; siblings-in-law Joan (Jim) Slopsema, Jerry Jansen, Ron (Mary) Jansen, Stan (Sharon) Jansen, Steve (Kate) Jansen.

She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Modesta; parents-in-law Annetta, Stan, and Ev; brother, Bill; sisters-in-law Vickie and Sharon; brothers-in-law Jimmy, Fred, and Skip; and many others she loved and is now no doubt catching up with.

Visitation with the family will be held from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services - Dorr Chapel, 4330 18th St., Dorr, MI 49323, with prayers of the Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2026 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1871 136th Avenue, Dorr, MI 49323. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookdorr.com in their online guestbook.

Laurie, the mail's delivered. Beck and Jack will take care of Larry. You can rest now.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CJD Foundation. https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cjdfoundation/account/2435287/

Having just faced this disease, Laurie's family hopes to help make that road a little less lonely for the families who have to walk it next. Corewell Hospice and the Dorr Township Fire Department would also be meaningful choices for a gift in Laurie's memory.