Laura Lodder

January 15, 1937 - June 15, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Laura Lodder peacefully passed away on June 15, 2024, at Hardy View. Born on January 15, 1937, in Trail, BC, Laura was the daughter of Andrea and Marianna D'Andrea. In 1944, the family relocated to the North Fork, where Laura attended Brown Creek School before graduating from Grand Forks Secondary School in 1955. She began her career at the government agency office in Grand Forks.

At a dance held at Brown Creek School, Laura met Tony Lodder, whom she married on June 15, 1957. They settled in the small house on the Woodward farm off Carson Road. Family was paramount to Laura, and their home was always filled with loved ones. She cherished staying connected with family and friends, regularly calling to check in on them.

In 1970, Laura and Tony built a larger home to accommodate their growing family. Laura's days were filled with activities she loved, cooking, maintaining the yard, helping on the farm, and actively engaging in the community. She found joy in cleaning, often dancing with her mop, vacuum, or floor polisher to music. She made sure the grass was cut, flower beds and garden were weeded, pinecones raked up and decks swept.

Her gardens provided fresh flowers, which could always be found arranged nicely in vases throughout the house and vegetables for canning and preservatives for the winter.

On the farm Laura could be found digging and grading potatoes and onions, burning grass in the spring, making sure things were neat and tidy and the weeds were put to rest.

Since the late 1950s, she had been actively involved in the community's fall fair. Every year, she not only submitted exhibits but also ensured that cherished traditions were celebrated by all attendees. Her dedication extended to fundraising for various community events and volunteering at the Boundary Historical Society, where she conducted interviews with numerous individuals from the Boundary Area.

These stories have been preserved and can be explored in publications by the Boundary Historical Society. Laura was also a committed member of the Boundary Museum, advocating for the preservation of local history through the stories and experiences of early pioneers and Sunshine Valley residents, ensuring their legacy for future generations.

Laura and Tony traveled to many countries, but she always felt there was no better place than Grand Forks—her home.

Laura's legacy of love for family, dedication to her community, and joy in simple pleasures will be cherished by all who knew her.

She is survived by her four children, Suzanne (Steve) Schroeder, Jeanette (Chris) Hanlon, Chris Lodder, and Blair (Irene) Lodder. Grandchildren, Robert (Jessica) Salewich, Steven (Christina) Salewich, Stephanie (Nathan) Miles, Shawn (Haley) Hanlon, Etienne, Marianna, and Jacob Lodder, along with great-grandchildren Hadley, Adalynn, Easton Salewich, Stormer, Birdy Salewich, Dash Hanlon, and Lucas Miles.

She is also survived by her sister, Emely Pasqualotto, sister-in-law Susan D'Andrea, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, Andrea and Marianna D'Andrea, her husband Tony Lodder, her brother John D'Andrea, and her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Pete Pasqualotto, Hans and Mary Lodder, and Sjaan and Jan Komtebedde and Reggie.

A service will be held at the Gospel Chapel, 7048 Donaldson Drive, Grand Forks on July 13, 2024 at 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to a charity of your choice.