Barbara L. Lauretti

Barbara L. Lauretti, age 95, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Chestnut Fields Living Center. She was born November 13, 1930 in Kansas City, MO and was adopted by Louis "Louie" and Marjorie (Benjamin) Mickelson of Muskegon, MI. She lived in the Muskegon area most of her life. Barbara graduated in 1948 from St. Mary's High School and completed her nursing degree from Mercy School of Nursing in Grand Rapids in 1951. She met the love of her life, Lawrence "Larry", on a blind date and they married in 1953. They were married 48 years before he passed in 2001. She worked as a Registered Nurse for Misericordia Hospital in Milwaukee, WI and after raising her family, she assisted at her husband's medical office, Lawrence A. Lauretti, MD. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids, traveling, knitting hats for newborns, playing cards and volunteering for over 50 years in the gift shops at Mercy and Hackley Hospital. Barbara was also a member of the Nurse Honor Guard. She was a longtime member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church where she served on the Women's Guild and sang in the choir. Survivors include her 4 daughters, Laurie (Frank) Wanderski, Mary Beth Lauretti-Fongers, Jane (Tad) Summerfield, Amy (Joseph) McNarland; 10 grandchildren, Michael (Anna) Wanderski, Larry (Natalie) Wanderski, Bryan (Katie) Fongers, Andrea (Jeff) Wilkie, Ashley Summerfield, Jessica (Eric) Ewing, Nicholas McNarland, Alec McNarland, Brenden McNarland, Nathan McNarland; and 9 great-grandchildren, Acelin, Zion, Bellamy, Laurene, Skylar, Blakely, Shepherd, Winslet, and Millie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Lawrence A. Lauretti; her parents, Louis and Marjorie Mickelson, her in-laws, Michael and Felicia Lauretti, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Oreste and Rita Lauretti, son-in-law, Thomas Fongers, and 1 sister, Janis Mickelson. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, January 31, 2026 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. R. Louis Stasker presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior (10:00 AM), to the Mass, on Saturday, at the church. Entombment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to The Cancer & Hematology Centers of West Michigan, Chestnut Fields Activities Fund, or Age Well Services. Arrangements handled by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey Street, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Sign the online guestbook at https://www.sytsemafh.com