At age 85, Laurel went to her eternal home the Lord prepared for her on Friday, December 26, 2025. Her family was present throughout the days to her passing. Many prayers, kisses, hugs, and care were provided to help with her transition and to show how much she was truly loved by her family. She and her family were blessed to be there with her. She will be deeply missed by her son, Robert (Ginny Hathaway); her daughter, Patricia (Bart) Hesse; grandchildren, Lauren and Connor Hathaway (fiancé Natalie Payne), Andrea (Ryan) Kratz, and Carter Hesse; great grandchildren, Finley and Hudson Kratz. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Arthur Lee Hathaway, parents Lester (Les) and Agnes Markin, brother Ronald Markin, and her mother-in-law, Dorothy Hathaway and father-in-law Orville Hathaway.
Born in Lodi, WI, on March 26, 1940, Laurel lived in Warrens, WI, on the homestead her father built. She spent many hours riding her horse Amigo and graduated from Tomah High School. Her adventurous spirit took her to Milwaukee to attend the Patricia Stevens Career College-Secretarial School. Through her roommate she met Arthur. An artist at heart, she devoted her life to her husband, raised their children, and set the standard for 70’s “domestic engineering” on Casper St. in Milwaukee. She loved selling Sarah Coventry jewelry out of her basement, and retired from her position at the Milwaukee County Safety Building in the heart of downtown Milwaukee in 1995.
She loved fishing on Lake Michigan, traveling throughout the USA, especially the Natchez Trail, visiting and collecting paintings of antebellum homes, which covered her walls in tasteful framing. She loved archeology and secretly wanted to be part of a dig in Egypt. She was an avid reader with a focus on the Tudor period of England. A Wisconsin sports fan, she never missed a Milwaukee Brewer or Green Bay Packer game, occasionally needing assistance to find the broadcast channel.
She and Arthur lived out retirement in Warrens, on the land and home she was raised. They enjoyed walking the 40 acres of woodland purchased nearby. With her mom, Agnes, next door to the house, she spent time with her going to church, bible study, antique shopping, watching their favorite soap opera at 11:00 with continental tea, and keeping each other company. When family visited, the cards came out and Euchre and Polish Rummy were played into the wee hours, with Agnes usually dominating. She loved her family dearly and always welcomed us home with comfy beds and delicious meals.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff at Marquardt Village Park Ridge, especially those who were with us in the final hours.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Open Door Baptist Church in Warrens, Wisconsin. Pastor Cass Shell will officiate. Burial will follow at the Warren Mills Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Saturday.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
