MENDOTA – Laura Jean Larabee, 83, of Mendota, passed away Sept. 1, 2023, at home with her loving family by her side.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10-11 a.m., with services at 11 a.m., all at Wasmer Funeral Home. Services will be led by Rev. Jeff Schlesinger, with burial immediately following at Restland Memorial Gardens. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.

Laura was born Sept. 19, 1939, in Meriden Township to Louis B. and Hilda (Eich) Larabee. She graduated Mendota High School in 1957.

She will be missed by her daughters, Lorelei (Kevin) Shaver of LaMoille and Deb (Jon) Bradford of Mendota; a son, Jimmy (Libby) Ambler of Mendota; five granddaughters, Eva (Chris) Ambler Differding, Erica (Carlos) Escatel, Elysia (Steve) Coventry, Elaina (Adam) Holdenrid and Elivia Ambler; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard (Cathy) Larabee of Earlville and Ron Larabee of Ottawa; four sisters, Margaret Ross of Mendota, Dorothy (Ralph) Martinson of Mendota, Betty (Craig) Beardsley of Pointee, Wis., and Mary (Bob) Behrends of Peoria; and the father of her children, James W. Ambler of Mendota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Darwin Ross, and her best friend and faithful furry companion, Shania in 2017.

Laura was a self-made woman. She owned and operated Owl Ltd. Trucking until her retirement. Laura was always involved in the family business of farming, first with her dad and then with her son. She was a member of Compton Immanuel Lutheran Church. Laura was a wonderful mother and a spectacular Grandma Jean. A beautiful spirit, Laura loved her family, and spent as much time as she could with them. She was a country girl who loved the woods, and especially owls. You are our sunshine.

Pallbearers will be her six great-grandsons, Mateo Escatel, Cayden Escatel, Anthony Ambler, Amadae Ambler, Jordan Coventry and Esten Otero. Honorary pallbearers will be great-granddaughters, Ayla Coventry, Zariah Escatel, Ahvilyn Differding, Jameson Holdenrid and Hudson Holdenrid.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice or OSF Hospice of Ottawa. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.