California. She was born Laurel Anne Lindberg on June 14,1954 in Green Lake, Wisconsin, the
youngest of three children. Her parents were Halver Axel Lindberg, a Stonemason and
Carpenter from Ironwood, Michigan and Elenor Ida Hildegard Schubring of Muskego,
Wisconsin. Grandparents were Carl Axel Lindberg and Alma Maria Hedberg (patemal), Charles
Schubring and Augusta Hart (maternal). Siblings were Lorene Jeanne Finch, an Executive
Assistant, and Lowell Robert Lindberg, an Architect and Musician inducted to the Western
Swing Society's Hall Of Fame in 1988.
Laurel's family had lived on Lindberg Road in Conover at the family's log homestead,
which Halver built by hand and neighbors helped finish in 1933 on their Wedding Day. The
Lindbergs moved south to Green Lake shortly before her birth, where Laurel attended school.
She finished High School in the Northwoods when the Lindbergs relocated to Saint Germain, a
small settlement near Conover and Eagle River. Family history can be traced to the beginnings
of both communities.
Since she was young, Laurie avidly collected Antiques with her parents and developed a
broad knowledge of them. She and her sister's kids Lori and *Tiger'' would treasure the
memories of their adventures together in Green Lake and the Northwoods.
Laurel Anne attended church school with the Heidel Twins, children of the renowned
Heidel House owners in Green Lake. Sister-in law Radene's mother had worked at the resort
and gave Laurie her first Cookbook. As an adult Laurel managed the kitchen of a Hospital in
Menominee Falls. A fierce winter in 1978 convinced her to move to Califomia, where she would
run the Restaurant for a Macy's in the Citrus Heights area of Sacramento and later worked at
Cable Data in Rancho Cordova before declining health forced her to retire.
For Laurie, two dreams came true when she left on a cruise to Hawaii in 1983
accompanied by her friend Tillie and cousin Lynn, shortly after meeting Peter Kowalski, a New
York native and resident of Rancho Cordova Califomia more than fifty years. She wed Pete the
next year on January 14th, choosing the birthday of nieces Lori (born 1959) and Julie (born
l97I) for the ceremony.
Laurel enjoyed preparing food, hosting parties, and spending time in her pool. For many
years she loved playing Cards, and Nertz was a special favorite shared with her mother and niece
Lori, who then taught it to her boys. Laurel was a fan of Cooking Shows, Hallmark Movies,
Soap Operas, and programs on house-buying or home improvements. She had a yard filled with
flowers but always liked Roses the best.
Laurel Anne is survived by her husband Pete, her nephew Wade C. Fink in Arizona and
niece Lori R. Lopez in Southern California the children of Lorene and Wayne Finch; niece Julie
Thom and nephew Jeff Lindberg in Wisconsin, children of Lowell and his first wife Radene. She
had three great-nephews: Noel and Rafael Lopez, sons of Lori, and Julie's son Spencer. She had
one great-niece, Madalyn Claudia Thom, and a great-great-niece, Saskia daughter of Madalyn.
By marriage Laurie was a sister to Radene Abel of Wisconsin, Ruth Kowalski of California
Mary Baze of Oregon, Julie Sanders of California David Kowalski of Arizona Mathew and
John Kowalski of California. Everyone who knew her thought the world of Laurie for her wit
and intelligence, also the warmth of her personality. She will be deeply missed by family and
friends, as well as her cats Hermie, Bucky and Magnolia.
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