Laura Lee Daugherty
PORTAGE – Inspired educator, devoted wife, and loving mother, Laura Lee Daugherty, age 85, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Laura was born on July 30, 1939, in Wauzeka, WI, the daughter of Marion and Elizabeth (Wayne) Ward. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Daugherty, on December 26, 1960, in Boscobel, WI. Together they took pleasure in traveling, planting their garden & socializing while taking tickets at Portage Warrior events. Laura also enjoyed throwing cards with her friends, chatting with neighbors, and making magic happen with the slot machines. Laura’s greatest joy, however, came from creating family memories. There wasn’t a family gathering without playing a ruthless game of Ol’ Hell.
Along with family, teaching was Laura’s calling. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, she worked as an educator for nearly 60 years, the majority of them for the Portage Community School District. Laura was a beacon of inspiration to thousands of children and her classroom was a place of warmth, where she encouraged all to reach for the distant stars. Whether she was taking Safety Patrol to Washington DC, staying in a cabin at Camp Upham Woods, or dissecting a cow's eye, her lasting impact continues to be felt long after the end of the lesson.
She is survived by her children, Jeff (Stephanie) Daugherty of Middleton, Judy (John) Barton of Marshfield, Jan (Mark) Quirk of Cedarburg, and Joy (Damian) Weyer of Lodi; grandchildren, Tristen (Brad), Daniel (Alexis), Julia, Sarah (Tylor), Karis, Phoebe, William, and Delaney; great-grandchildren, Brielle, Braxon and Graham; brother, Dean (Karla) Ward; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; and siblings Keith, Forrest, Floyd, Julius, Sidonna, and Etta.
Memorial Service will be held at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, WI, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Jaime Benson officiating. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until the start of the service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage House, St. Clare Hospital/Meadows, Aspirus Tivoli Community, and Bristol Hospice for their care and support.
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.
Our Mother; who inspired souls, awakened minds, nurtured dreams, and loved deeply.
