Laura Lee Nemec
Laura Lee Nemec joined the angels in heaven in the evening of February 19, 2021.
Larry and Mary Nemec were blessed with her arrival at Sioux Valley Hospital on May 14, 1970. From her first breath, she was a joy to their lives. At the tender age of 20 months, Laura suffered the first of three separate brain tumors. She endured neurosurgery, then cobalt treatments and physical therapy for several months. With her faith and determination, she was soon walking and happy again. Although quite handicapped on her right side, Laura did very well and was an inspiration to her folks and to many friends.
She attended the Pierre Head Start Program; followed by Crippled Children’s School from 1976 to 1980. At age 8, Laura welcomed a baby brother Neil, whom she loved to hold, and picked up his toys many times. They always got along very well.
Laura’s folks were very happy to have her living with them the following years and she liked helping Mary around the house. While they were at work she would fold clothes, vacuum the carpet, pick up after Neil and so forth.
In 1987, Laura experienced a second tumor which required another neurosurgery and more complications and treatments. She always kept her faith and after several months of healing, was back to helping mom. However, her health and mobility gradually declined in the following years.
In July 2019, Laura became a resident of Avera Maryhouse, where she lived until her passing away due to a stroke.
We will miss her for the rest of our lives here on earth, but plan to rejoin her later, with God’s help.
Larry and Mary Nemec are forever grateful to all of the people who have helped Laura over the years, including: Patricia (Fenwick) Snook and friends who organized a fundraiser for medical bills, the doctors at University of Minnesota Hospital, people at Crippled Children’s School and most recently the great, caring people at Maryhouse.
Thankful for sharing her life are her parents Larry and Mary Nemec, her brother Neil and wife Kelsey Nemec. Laura’s passing was preceded by her grandparents Jerome and Rena Nemec and Chester and Mary Calhoon.
A visitation in Pierre will be from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm CST on Thursday, February 25th at Isburg Funeral Chapel (439 S Pierre St.). A visitation in Midland will be held on Friday, February 26, from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm MST at Trinity Lutheran Church with a graveside committal service beginning at 3:30pm MST at Midland Cemetery. The family requests that all in attendance please wear a mask. For those unable to attend the service, it will be available for viewing at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com. It can be found at the top of Laura’s obituary page. Cards may be left at the visitation or send to: Larry and Mary Nemec, 20300 Cedar Street, Pierre, SD 57501 or to Neil Nemec, 708 N. Central Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
