Laura LaPorte Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel - Monrovia on Feb. 4, 2026.
Laura Sue (Ragan) LaPorte, 61, of Plainfield, passed peacefully from this life after a lengthy battle with cancer, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while in the comfort of her own home. She was born in Plainfield on July 17, 1964, to the late Thomas Franklin Ragan and Nancy Elizabeth (Pierson) Bill.
One of five children, Laura grew up in an old farmhouse in Plainfield, where her love for horses took root-and where she was lucky enough to have one of her very own, Samantha. Involved in 4-H, she was gifted with a melodic singing voice and was a member of the school's choir, performing in ensembles and solos, as well as earning lead roles in several plays and musicals. With an inner beauty that shone through, she was dubbed the Hendricks County Fair Queen. After graduating with the class of 1982 from Plainfield High School, Laura spent a year studying at Purdue University before switching gears and gaining employment at Golden Rule Insurance Company. It was there that she met her future husband and soulmate, Michael LaPorte. He saw her pushing a cart full of claims and was instantly enamored with her beauty. He invited her to lunch, and the rest was history. The pair dated for a year and a half before sealing the deal with a church ceremony on June 20, 1987. The newlywed couple were blessed with four children, completing their happy family of six. Moving around for several years, the family built their forever home on family land in 2013.
A stellar mother and wife, Laura ran a tight, loving ship, cooking and cleaning, and always ensuring the people she loved most in this world were well taken care of. She went all out for the holidays, decorating the house perfectly while randomly singing Christmas songs, even in June. She treasured traveling and her favorite destinations were Universal Studios, Hawaii, Bald Head Island in North Carolina, cruises to the Caribbean and especially to Alaska. A trip out west gave them the opportunity to hike down the Grand Canyon and spend the night, taking two days to hike back up to the top.
A true movie buff, Laura took solace in kicking back with her popcorn and Coke to watch Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings movies. She enjoyed gardening and landscaping and planted and tended to an immense flower garden in which weeds didn't stand a chance. She found joy in scrapbooking, crafting handmade cards for those she loved, baking, and giving her children Easter and Valentine's Day presents every year. Meticulous by nature, not only was her house in order, Laura, held the poise of a true lady, and she continuously took pride in her appearance. The best years of her life were when her children were little, and her world centered completely on them and Michael. A sun worshiper, she held pool days with her cherished family close to her heart, and she could be found reading by the poolside while they swam and played. She dearly loved them, and the rest of her circle. Gone from this world entirely too soon, Laura will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know her.
Along with her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her brothers, Bruce Ragan and Thomas "Chris" Ragan.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 38 ½ years, Michael LaPorte of Plainfield; children, Alexis Johantgen (Josh) of Plainfield, Anthony LaPorte (Kelci) of Georgetown, Austin LaPorte of New Albany, and Ashton LaPorte (Sydney) of Mooresville; sisters, Michele Carr (Greg), and Lisa Peterson, all of Plainfield; along with her grandchildren, Colton, Kaley, Kylie, Kinley, and Chase Johantgen, and Emersyn LaPorte.
Cremation Arrangements were entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel, in Monrovia. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Fairfield Friends Church, 10441 E County Rd 700 S, Camby, IN 46113. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to The Gathering Together by clicking https://thegatheringtogether.org/donate/. To share a favorite story, send the family an online condolence, or light a candle in Laura's memory, please visit her tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.