Laurie Jean Odlum

March 11, 1956 - March 2, 2014 Laurie Jean Odlum, nee Bakkensen, passed away on March 2, 2014 after a long courageous struggle with breast cancer. Her husband Jim and her children Nick, Jack and Margo were with her when she passed. Laurie grew up in Astoria, Oregon. After graduating from Oregon State University, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to work in distribution for Miller Brewing. One of her incidental duties there was taste testing beer, something she bragged about for the rest of her life. While in Milwaukee, she earned an MBA from Marquette University. In 1983, she married Jim and the two moved to Los Angeles. She worked as a volunteer for the 1984 Olympics, earning mention in the "Superstars" chapter of Peter Ueberroth's book "Made in America." Laurie worked at Hughes Aircraft until she had her second child. For the next 15 years, she was a stay-at-home mom and, in her words, a "professional volunteer". In 1991, Laurie moved to Yucaipa where she volunteered in the public schools and for local charities. She later worked as a substitute math teacher at Yucaipa High School. She became a masters swimmer and loved competing in ocean swims, especially the La Jolla Rough Water Swim. In 2009, she completed the San Diego Marathon. She also loved golfing and horseback riding. Most of all Laurie loved her family. She was a wonderful wife and great mother. She leaves her husband of 30 years, Jim, and her children Nick of Sunnyvale, CA, Jack of Oakland, CA and Margo of Los Angeles, CA. In addition, she is survived by her parents Joe and Gwynn Bakkensen of Warrenton, OR, her sisters Nancy Plumlee of Portland, OR and Joni Juergens of Waunakee, WI, her brothers Drew Bakkensen and Jim Bakkensen of Portland, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in Laurie's memory may be made to UCLA, UC Berkeley, or the charity of your choice. Laurie's family has established a scholarship in her memory for graduates of Yucaipa High School. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday March 15, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Church in Yucaipa. Laurie's family and friends will remember her enthusiasm for life and her sense of humor and fun. Today would have been Laurie's 58th birthday. Happy birthday Mama, we love you!