Laurel A. Slepicka

PORTAGE – Laurel A. Slepicka, age 93 and 7 months, died on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Columbia Healthcare Center in Wyocena, after a brief illness.

Laurel was born on January 8, 1932, in West Allis, the daughter of Peter and Mabel (Smith) Verburgt.  She was united in marriage to John Slepicka on August 21, 1954, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage.  Laurel worked at the cheese plant in Portage until her children were born, when she became a full time mom to  her four sons, John (Lois), Endeavor, James (Sandra), Pardeeville, Jerry (Theresa), Endeavor and Joseph (Christine), Portage.  She drove school bus for Bob Swan and had a Sunday paper route for many years.  Laurel got her CNA license and worked at the Divine Savior Nursing Home in Portage until her retirement. 

She was a loving and caring Grandmother to seven grandchildren, Diana Beckius, Keith (Emily) Desjarlais,  Jennifer Desjarlais-Tomlinson, Jimmy (Cheyanne) Slepicka, Bayli Slepicka, Bradley Slepicka and Jessica (TJ) Cross.  She also has 13 great grandchildren, Hayley, Andrew and Hanna Cross, Rayna Slepicka, Indiana, Gemma and Harper Desjarlais, Mark and Hawken Tomlinson, Kylee Beckius, Josie, Amelia and Thurston Boehm;  and one great-great grandchild, Molly Beckius.  Laurel is also survived by her sister, Mabel Cadigan and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her sisters, Marvel Akins and Chrystal Schoenbein and her brothers, Peter, Charles, Thomas and Martin Verburgt.

A Prayer Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with Fr. Randy Timmerman officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Portage.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.