Laurie J. Grusing

Laurie J. (Gerrity) Grusing passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Vincent Hospital on Monday, Sept. 5, after a long, hard-fought battle with COPD and emphysema.

She was born in Williston, N.D., on Dec. 17, 1942, to Daniel and Katherine Gerrity. She and her twin were originally named Loretta and Louetta, and they always joked that their names were given in haste because the hospital didn't expect them to make it, so their parents saved the good names for future children.

She married Lonnie Shigley and had two children, Chris and Lisa Marie. They later divorced. Laurie met the love of her life, Harold Grusing, in 1975 and they married after a whirlwind three month engagement. Along with a new husband, Laurie gained three sons as well: Doug, Kevin and Steve.

Laurie was always a hard worker who prided herself on doing a job well, and right, the first time. She worked at Hager Brother's Eggs for many years, and the best part of this job was meeting her friend Karol, who has always held a special place in her heart. She then went on to work for the Department of Children and Family Services, from where she retired in 2004.

She always loved card or dice games. She was exceptionally good at pinochle and 10,000. She had daily competitions of 10,000 with her neighbor, Marguerite, who was considered another sister to her. Laurie was always the scorekeeper and often won the games, which led to much discussion of whether she was cheating or not. Marguerite used to say they needed to get an audit done on the books. The best part of Laurie's personality was her sense of humor. She loved to laugh and make others laugh as well. When she tried to tell a joke, the best part of the joke was watching her face and her giggle as she tried to get the punch line out, which sometimes never happened.

Laurie is preceded in death by her parents; her sister Mary Volk; and her brother Billy Gerrity. She is survived by her loving husband, Harold; son Chris (Cherie) Shigley Shanghai, China; daughter Lisa Marie (Bill) Skov, Billings; son Doug (Kathy) Grusing, Locust Grove, Ga.; son Kevin (Lori) Grusing, Billings; son Steve (Jill) Grusing, Spring Creek, Nev.; sister Lou (Elvin) Kabanuk, Minot, N.D.; sister Katherine Gerrity (Paul Castrovillo), Boise, Idaho; and brother Dan (Connie) Gerrity, Williston, N.D. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Michael, Kody, Josh, Sydney, Jordyn, Hannah, Ian, Emma and Max; as well as a great grandson, Kaiden. She also leaves behind many special friends and relatives.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park located at 3605 Grand Ave. A reception will follow at the Elks Lodge on 934 Lewis.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and remembrances may be shared with the family at http://www.michelottisawyers.com/">www.michelottisawyers.com.

Laurie Grusing