Laurie Austin

Laurie Jean Austin, 79, of Brookings, SD passed away peacefully at home on September 27th, 2025. A memorial service will be held for Laurie at Rude's Funeral Home on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:00am. A visitation will take place prior from 9:00-10:00am.

She was born to Mark "Bill" Porter and Eloise "Pat" (Pew) Porter on December 7, 1945 in Ortonville, MN. Laurie's birthdate brought her much pride as her father, Bill, served in WWII and was in Hawaii after the bombing on Pearl Harbor.

After graduating from Brookings High School in 1963, Laurie went on to start her own family and legacy within the Brookings and surrounding communities. She spent some years as an owner/operator of the Wagon Wheel on Oakwood Lake and later went on to be a go-to at Homestead Do-It Center, K-mart, and Lowe's.

Laurie's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the absolute joy of her life, and she was deeply proud of each and every one of them. She had many nicknames in her life to include LB, Laurie Beth, Wagon Wheel Laurie, Ma, GiGi, Bams, Bamma Jamma, but of them all, she loved being "Gramma".

She is survived by her children Tim Austin, Tami Austin, and Andrea Austin (Todd Torgerson) - her grandchildren, Roger Austin, Becca (Tim Van Dyke), John Austin (Kayla Hemmingson), Devon Austin, David Austin, Sonja Austin, and Sophia Austin - her great grandchildren Elizabeth, Texlie, Baylie, RIley, Rip and Rowdy - her two sisters, Marsha (Tom Murphy) and Merri Lee (Weston Grow) - and nieces and nephews - and of course her Chihuahua, Baxter Dale Austin

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill; her mother, Pat; her brother, Mark Jr.; and niece, Anna May