Laura Lynn Zubke

It is with great sadness we share that our beloved daughter, sister, and “auntie” Laura, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, in the Palliative Care Unit of Aspirus Wausau Hospital following a five-year battle with cancer. Laura’s final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Laura had touched in some small way throughout her life.

Laura Lynn Zubke was born January 14, 1962, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to Lester and Bonita (Laffin) Zubke. Laura’s parents returned to Wausau and moved into their home in Rib Mountain in 1965 where Laura grew up and resided most of her life. Laura was a lifelong learner graduating from Wausau West High School in 1980, and attended UW-Marathon Campus, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Platteville earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1998. In 2015, Laura earned a Medical Certification from North Central Technical Institute to prepare for caring for her parents in their twilight years. Laura worked at Michaels in Rib Mountain for over 10 years where she truly enjoyed the customers, coworkers, and crafts.

Laura spent many summers Up North at Campers Haven on Lake Nokomis where she enjoyed swimming, sitting by the campfire, walking on nature trails, and “pontooning” over to the Windmill for her favorite flavor of ice cream that day. Laura’s hobbies and interests included family, traveling, flower gardening, knitting, crocheting, crafting activities with her many nieces and nephews, walking her sibling’s dogs, and caring for the variety of birds that visited the bird feeders she kept flush with bird seeds. 

Laura was an active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed sermons, prayer, and singing hymns.

Laura will be greatly missed by her parents, sister, Kathryn Sutherland; brothers, Kenneth and Dianne (Welch) Zubke, William and Krista (Kopacz) Zubke, and Michael Zubke. Nieces Allissa (Caleb) Cady, Emma Zubke, Chloe Zubke, Elise Zubke, Lilou Zubke and Elliot Cady. Nephews Joshua Sutherland, Gunner Zubke, Evan Zubke, and Dorian Zubke. Laura is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Carine (Fayolle) Zubke.

Our family acknowledges and sincerely appreciates the staff of Aspirus Cancer Unit and Palliative Care Unit for their kindness and care for Laura during her final weeks. In addition, we truly thank Laura’s colleagues and friends at Michaels for their empathy, kindness, and support over the past 5 years as she fought this battle.

Laura’s service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St, Weston, WI 54476. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 12:00 noon.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Weston, is assisting Laura’s family. Memorials for Laura can be directed to the Susan G. Coleman Fund at komen.org. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.