Laurie Peterson

1969 - 2025

Laurie (Kort) Peterson

July 4, 1969 - November 7, 2025

Laurie (Kort) Peterson, 56, of Grand Island, died on November 7, 2025, at CHI St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, NE. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on November 15, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church, 1710 North Road, Grand Island, NE. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Youth Ministry. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Laurie was born on July 4, 1969 in Hastings, NE. She grew up north and west of Trumbull, NE where she attended and graduated from Trumbull High School. She went on to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney and later transferred to Iowa State University where she graduated and obtained her teaching degree.

She was united in marriage to Randy Peterson on August 11, 1989. The couple lived in Kearney, NE while they both attended college. They moved to Des Moines, IA after Randy graduated college.

Randy and Laurie were blessed to have three wonderful children and one grandchild. Lindsey (Jon) Englund of West Point, NE. parents of Addalynn June Englund. Ethan (Victoria) Peterson of Denver, CO., and Rebecca Peterson of Omaha, NE.

Laurie was a devoted teacher who truly loved her students and tried to get the most out of them. She taught in Indianola, IA., Huxley-Ballard, IA., St. Paul, NE., Shelton, NE., and finished her career at Walnut Middle School in Grand Island, NE. Laurie received the Faculty of the Year award for 2007 and was nominated and received the Health Teacher of the Year award in 2018 for the state of Nebraska. She retired from Walnut Middle School after 18 years of service there. Laurie enjoyed sewing and making crafts. She is somewhat famous in the NASCAR racing circuit for replicating a driver's jump suit for her 2nd cousin Ryken to wear to the racing events he attends. She was active at Peace Lutheran Church where she participated in choir, taught Sunday school, and at one time oversaw the nursery. Laurie's greatest achievement was her family. She loved to attend her kid's functions and events. From clogging recitals with Lindsey, to baseball and softball games with Ethan and Rebecca. From doing make up and costumes for musical productions, to hosting countless numbers of friends at the house. Every child was welcomed and no one left hungry.

Above all else, Laurie cherished her role as grandmother, considering it her life's greatest joy and crowning achievement. Her boundless love and devotion shone brightest in the precious moments shared with her beloved granddaughter Addalynn, and the children she embraced as her own, Brooks and Ty Hermann, whom she lovingly called her "grand-neighbors." Her legacy of unconditional love and warmth will forever live on in the hearts of these cherished young ones.

Laurie is survived by her husband Randy; children, Lindsey, Ethan, Rebecca; and granddaughter, Addalynn; father, Loren (Olivia) Kort of El Paso, TX; sisters, Lynn (Terry) DeVries of Fairfield, NE, Abby (Bob) Collins of Hastings, NE; sister-in-law, Susan (Brian) Burge of Aurora MO; and many aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Laurie was preceded in death by her mother, Linda (Varah) Kort; grandparents, mother and father in-law, Leroy and Cleo Peterson of Trumbull/Grand Island; and brother-in-law, Andy Peterson of Trumbull.