Laura Kathleen Friedrichs

Laura Kathleen Friedrichs

April 9, 1960 - May 15, 2023

MADISON - Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Laura Kathleen Friedrichs (nee Chaffee), 63, died on Monday, May 15, 2023, at University Hospital in Madison, WI. Ever-resilient, always positive and maintaining her joy in life and loving nature to the end, Laura was enrounded by her husband, David A. Friedrichs; her sons, Colin David Friedrichs and Harper Daniel Friedrichs; her best friend, Catherine Streiffer, her husband Robert Streiffer and their daughter Aeryn Streiffer; when she finally passed.

Laura was born April 9, 1960, to parents, Steven H. Chaffee and Sheila M. Chaffee (nee McGoldrick) at Long Beach Naval Hospital. Laura's arrival was announced to the world in a splashy, witty segment in the Long Beach Naval Base newspaper coincidentally penned by her own father, who was editor of the Naval Base paper. Born the oldest of the all the grandchildren to come, Laura was bathed in love from all sides of the family, a favor she returned with interest to all who knew her in her lifetime.

Laura had an easy, silvery laugh which still rings in people's ears and a beauty from the youngest age that took away one's breath. As a formal scholar, Laura received a Bachelor of Science in Urban Geography in 1983 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, her intellect and curiosity were insatiable, and she never stopped her studies. As an administrator, Laura worked for two decades at the UW-Madison in various positions including: Poverty Research Institute, University Housing, and UW-Press, to name a few. From an early age, Laura was enthusiastic and outspoken political activist, by high school she was campaigning for her mom, Sheila, for Madison Common Council. In 1984, she was office manager for the Madison, WI, HQ for the Mondale-Ferraro presidential campaign. No matter the odds, or the strength of the opposition, Laura always fought for a kinder and more just world. Laura possessed an encyclopedic memory for all things that crossed her path and could quote Shakespeare, Monty Python, P.G. Wodehouse or Gene Roddenberry to suit any occasion and understood on a molecular level how to deliver a punch line.

For those who grew up with and around her, she was "everybody's big sister." Wise, gentle, firm, whip smart, intellectually curious, sardonic, as well as quietly witty, and the best editor, bar her father, this side of the Pecos, Laura's chosen career of caregiving spanned several generations of growing humans. The height of her skills was exhibited during the decade when she ran a small at-home day care, "Small Steps," specializing in four months to four years old. Armed with kindness, patience, deep pools of mirth, a great songbook, and several generations of accrued knowledge in early childhood development, Laura fostered the very youngest members of her community. Some of her "graduates" have gone on to be researchers, doctors, professional athletes and caregivers of their own.

As her health began to fail, she was unable to continue with the day care, but still opened her home to friends of her growing children, providing a safe and happy place for them to congregate. Even when she was confined to bed, there was nothing she enjoyed more than being with these now-young adults and the rest of her extended family.

Laura is survived by her husband; sons; her three siblings: Adam Daniel Chaffee, Amy Elizabeth Chaffee, their half-brother, Eli Jay Chaffee; nephew, Calvin Daniel Chaffee; and a gaggle of young and older friends who loved her dearly.

A celebration of Laura's life will be held at Vilas Park on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the shelter by the lagoon. Participants are asked to wear a costume, please, as Laura loved cosplay of all kinds, to celebrate Laura's delight in silliness and profound irreverent joy in the world.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Laura's name should be made to NARAL or Planned Parenthood, as reproductive rights were dear to Laura's heart.