Laurel Beth Ehrich

1941 - 2025

Owatonna - Laurel "Laurie" Beth Ehrich, age 83, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on November 9, 1941, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Blanche (Buffington) Orthel. Laurie graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1959, and married her husband of 55 years, Willard Loren Ehrich, on September 11, 1960, in Buffalo Center, IA. The couple made their home in Elmore, MN, before moving to New Ulm and on to Owatonna in 1967.

Laurie worked many jobs in her life, JC Pennys, Montgomery Ward, the floral department at Hy-Vee, and finally as a pharmacy tech for Cashwise. Laurie was a passionate seamstress, creating many wedding dresses, garments, and quilts. Laurie's family cherishes many of the gifts she crafted by hand for them, including the cool leisure suits and patchwork bell bottom jeans! Her attention to detail made her a profound artist, which was often noticed in her flower gardens and beautiful ponds which were always immaculate. Laurie participated in annual "Secret Garden" tours and loved creating and maintaining her beautiful landscapes. She was so very proud to have her gardens included as part of the tour.

A few years after the passing of her husband, she reconnected with her friend and classmate, Orv. They had such a special and loving relationship. Laurie loved spending the winters with Orv in Florida for the past six years. The two of them enjoyed playing pickleball and driving the golf cart to outdoor church service. She also enjoyed making trips to the ocean and especially cherished time at The Villages town square for live music and dancing with Orv.

A testament to the selfless nature of Laurie was seen in her acts of service, always having food on the table or being the "worst dinner date" as she made friends with all the tables around her in restaurants. Laurie's faith was a strong part of who she was, as a long-time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, her sons remember the whole family attending church every Sunday at Redeemer Lutheran where Willard and the boys would serve as ushers. Her faith and love for her family and friends were obvious as she would worry about anyone, hoping them the best and healthiest life they could live.

She is survived by her four sons: Tim (Traci) of Owatonna, Jeff (Mae) of Eulice, TX, Scott (Heather) of Rochester, MN, and Dan also of Rochester; Laurie's special friend, Orv Askeland and his family; grandchildren: Travis (Tetianna), Anni (Nick) Yule, Alexandria (Trey) Burchfield, Addison (Chris) Spano, Jake Ehrich, Serena Basarach, Melissa (Adam), and Julie; nine great-grandchildren; her siblings: Phillip Orthel, Mike (Joann) Orthel, Roberta (Gene) Shreve, Joy Orthel-Albert, and Leah Nelson; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard; her parents; and two brothers, Bruce and Patrick.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Owatonna with a visitation one hour before. A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. Laurie will be laid to rest at St. John Cemetery in Owatonna with a luncheon to follow at the church.