Laurie Fider
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 25, 2017 @ 12:47 pm In 2017,Obituaries | 31 Comments
Laurie K. Fider, age 71, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, with her family present at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Shakopee, MN. She was a resident of Prior Lake, MN.
The family will greet guests on Friday, February 3, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, February 4, at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church 16311 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake. Father William Fider and Father Tom Walker will preside. Laurie’s urn bearers will be her children. She will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 11:15 am.
On May 15, 1945 in Chisholm, MN, Laureen “Laurie” Katherine was born to Italian parents Americo and Merica (Giorgi) Petrini. The second of four children, she and her siblings, Patricia, Carol and Peter, grew up honoring their Italian heritage. Being surrounded by family was always the most important. Some examples of this commitment were Laurie’s grandfather living with them until he passed. The family worked countless hours together in the garden, assuring food for the table throughout the coming year. And every Sunday evening, they shared a meal with their priest.
Graduating from Chisholm High School in 1963, Laurie then attend Junior College in Hibbing, MN for two years. Completing her education, she headed south to the big city. Laurie took her knowledge and started working for Control Data and their subsidiaries. For the next 40 plus years, she worked in Human Resources, with Laurie’s final years in management.
Laurie’s life was enriched meeting the love of her life, James Fider. This grand encounter happened while visiting the Alps!! It was such a romantic view as their eyes met…from across the room…standing in the bar called the ‘Alps’ in Bloomington, MN. This love flourished and on May 27, 1967 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Chisholm, MN, they were joined in Holy Matrimony. From this union, Laurie and Jim were blessed with three children, Jennifer, Katherine and Nicholas.
Keeping true to her Italian heritage, the family always remains most important. As a family, they spent endless weekends sailing throughout the years. Their first boat was 12-feet-long and they enjoyed the sights and sounds of Prior Lake. As the children grew, Laurie and Jim upgraded to a 30-foot-long boat that currently cruises the shores of Lake Pepin, along with many other family boats. In the winter months, the family loved huddling around the countless bonfires in the back yard, laughing and making profound statements. No matter what time of the year it was, every weekend was another family reunion. But life for Laurie was complete when she became a Nonni (grandma) to her grandchildren. They brought her so much joy and love.
Laurie had other interests as well. She loved curling up with a good book, So much that she self-published a few books. Laurie’s stories contained a lot of humor with a twist of mystery. She had such a great imagination. Laurie even co-authored a few books with her sister Patti.
It is Laurie’s genuine, selfless and kind heart that you experienced when she greeted you. Everyone was greeted with arms wide open and a big smile. She made you feel so good just seeing how happy she was to see you.
Laurie’s legacy will continue to live on in her beloved husband, Jim; children, Jennifer Fider, Katherine (Scott) Brue, Nicholas Fider; grandchildren Zachary Brue, Mia Brue; siblings, Patricia Boyter, Carol (Michael) Shanks, Peter Petrini; many relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Laurie home is her parents.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Fider family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
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Laurie and I went to high school together. Class of ’63. She was perky, bright, smart and fun!
Everyone loved her and she was someone people wanted to be around. I will always remember her in the warmest possible way and know her family has lost a very precious person.
I met Laurie when her daughter, Katie, and my daughter, Cathy Vaughn, became best friends in middle school in Wheaton, IL. We quickly became friends, as you can imagine given her warm, welcoming personality. We did many things together and enjoyed the friendship of our girls. Her daughter Jennifer and my son, Jeff, were also good friends then. We really missed the Fiders when they decided to move to Prior Lake, and that was Cathy’s first plane trip alone…to visit Katie. I’m sorry to say Laurie and I lost our connection over the years, but thanks to Facebook, I have reconnected with her girls and my daughter has as well. I had always hoped to spend time with Laurie again one day…and maybe that will still happen! Rest in peace, dear friend.
As Laurie said to me many times I now say to her family. .I simply adored her. She was such a good friend and will be missed greatly. I feel honored to have made the journey with all of you.
So many things come to mind when we think of Larie. You hit the nail on the head with the welcome with open arms & the Italian kiss of true happiness to make you feel like a long lost relative. We will never forget her amazing spirit , enjoyment for friendship & sheer joy to share the pure joy of her family. We share in the greatness of your loss. Love you all. C&M
I will miss Laurie so much. Whenever I saw her reading outside and walked across the road, she always greeted me with that big, “happy-to-see-you” smile and an offer of a beverage. She was one of the most lovely persons I have ever known. New Years Eves won’t ever be the same around here.
Many smiles and sailing adventures with warm and wonderful Laurie. ❤️ I learned about true love when I met Jim and Laurie and could see the “magical moments”. Sending love to all of you. -Diane
I can’t believe I’m reading this obit. I shared so many good memories with Laurie and Jim. All the racing we did together, cook outs, music, and camaraderie. I am so sorry to lose you. My condolences to all the family.
So sorry for the loss in your family. I know that Laurie will be missed on earth. Grandparents and parents will greet her in heaven.
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Over the years Jennifer has shared stories of her fun filled times spent with family. You are all so blessed to have shared those times and made so many loving memories. We are so sorry for your loss.
With love and sympathy
Chris and Warren Wiseman.
We are friends of Jen’s in Florida. We are very sorry she left you to soon. God bless your family in this hard time. We pray God gives you peace knowing she’s with Him.
We’re for you Jen.
Love Scott and Jewels ❤
I love and miss her now more than words can say..She was my best friend…I hold on now to all my memories over the 42 plus years we had together..There was always the laughter, mostly at ourselves. What we had done or might do and those millions moments when you just had to be there. Grace is just a word until you are in it’s presence…Being with Laurie through her illness, showed me what grace really is.
Extending our sympathies and prayers and hope.
Dear Fider Family,
It is with great sadness that I heard my classmate, Laurie had passed to her reward in heaven. I think of all the goofy times we had and her laugh in swimming class and down at Pete Schaltz’s eating ice cream and popcorn. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you transition through this next facet of life. Hold your memories in your heart…she will be with you in spirit.
Kate- sending hugs and our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Wishing you peace. ❤️
We met when we both moved to Chicago and became close friends. I remember our daughter’s words as we left their house one day, “I love everyone in that house.” That is still true.
I hope your wonderful memories will give you comfort and peace.
Such a sweet lady! I am so grateful to have met her. My prayers are with Jennifer and her family through this huge loss. God has plans we cannot understand. Her work in Heaven will certainly be important just as her family was here on earth.
So sorry to hear of Laurie’s passing, we kind of lost contact since high school . She was a very good friend in school and I spent many hours at her house. She had a very nice family here and I’m sure she has a beautiful family of her own there.
Smiles, giggles, great humor and insight from Laurie helped me and many others get through the sometimes tough work days in HR at Control Data. She provided a lot of sunlight through otherwise grey days. I am glad that our life paths crossed…Laurie was very special.
I was so blessed to know and love Laurie for many years and I’ll never ever forget her or how loved she made me feel
Jim’
Deeply saddened t hear of your loss. Laurie was a wonderful person and I have fond memories of her, going all the way to the 60’s.
Hoyt Foucault
Dearest Jim, Katie, Jenny & Nick, & Trish, What a shock, I so loved her & am deeply saddened by her passing. It’s hard when families evolve & new priorities come into our lives. I have so many wonderful memories of Laurie, always a bright light for everyone whose path she crossed over the years, hundreds of Control Data & BT people will never forget her. My deepest sympathy to all of you, with much love, Katy
Sweet Katy – would you mind sending us your contact info. We’d sure love to get in touch. Miss and love you.
Her smile was so heartwarming. Her heart was so open.
Jennifer,
I am saddened to learn of the loss of your mother. Reading her story, I can see that she lead a full life with her love of sailing, books and family. Lois and I send our sincere condolences to you, your father and your sister and brother.
Kind regards,
Rick Wrightson
Sympathy from the Dengerud’s to all of you.Sorry we aren’t around to come to Laurie’s funeral but we are in Texas. She was a sweet lovely fun person and will be missed by all of us.
My family were very close friends and neighbors to the Petrini’s all those years in Chisholm. I don’t think Laurie every trusted me. I was younger and best friends with her younger brother Peter. We worried her. We were constantly into mischief. The cops were at the Petrini door more than once because of our pranks. But besides that, Laurie and the whole Petrini family were wonderful kind people and I am so happy to have grown up being part of their lives. They had the only flower garden I ever took notice of. A child memory. Sounds like she made a lot of people happy throughout her time here.
Laurie officed next to me for several years when we worked for Control Data and BT. All I can say is what a wonderful woman. Big heart, sassy, and smart. She and I had many debates about what was proper procedure in a number of HR matters. I’m sorry I lost touch with Laurie over the past several years, but the good memories about this lovely lady will always be with me. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Thank you so much Wayne. I know she just loved her CD family. She most certainly is missed.
It’s with great sadness that I learned today that Laurie passed away. The Valentini and Petrini families have been forever linked as neighbors in Chisholm. Laurie was one of the best babysitters you could ask for. Friendly, fun loving, a little rambunctious , lots of male suitors….just a plethora of great memories. We’ve lost a lot of contact once her mother passed away but Laurie and her entire family will always hold place in my heart. I send my condolences and support to Jim, Jennifer, Katherine, Nicholas, Patti, Carol and Peter. Had I known earlier I surely would have been there with all of you.
Thank you Michael!!! We would always welcome you any time you are around. I know she cherished you and your family. Thank you for your sweet words. Hugs and love.
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Our prayers to you all can’t even begin to say how much we miss Laurie, she has been the best neighbor & friend to us, love that she had cookies for us to snack on when we visited, shared our stories of our kids & grandkids & trips we would take, raising our families in this neighborhood was just the best.