Laurie Minarik

Laurie Powell Minarik

Laurie Powell Minarik, beloved wife, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025, at the age of 62, after a courageous 19-month battle with esophageal cancer. She was surrounded by family at home.

Born to the late William "Billy" Powell and Sarah Powell, Laurie is survived by her husband of 39 years, Robert "Bob" Minarik; her brother, Johnny Powell, his wife, Victoria, and their children, Luke and Grace; her father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Valdyne Minarik; and her brother-in-law, Darren Minarik, his wife, Suzanne, and their children, Harper and Graham.

Laurie developed a passion for dance at a young age, which shaped her lifelong career. She earned a bachelor's degree in dance from LSU in 1984 and continued her studies in New York and California. She owned and operated the Baton Rouge Ballet Academy from 1989 to 1997 and danced professionally with the local modern dance company In the Company of Dancers. She also created the dance program at McKinley Senior High School, where she taught from 1989 to 2018, inspiring generations of students.

Laurie grew up in University Acres and attended Robert E. Lee High School. She loved riding her horse through the neighborhood and surrounding pastures and trails (now Woodstone and Woodgate subdivisions) and met her future husband while doing so-she on horseback, he on a motorcycle. They dated for nine years before marrying in 1986.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center would be greatly appreciated. The family expresses deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses who provided compassionate care. A private service will be held, with a celebration of life planned for a later date.