Laura Rose Woolard

Laura was born in Newberry, MI, on April 28th, 1960, a daughter of the late Jacqueline (Dudley) and Raymond Schaefer. She grew up in Lakefield Township and was a graduate of Newberry High School, Class of 1978. Laura continued her education and in 1982, received a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Michigan University. Her professional career included music teaching jobs in Clarkston, Manistique, Elgin, IL, and most recently, Aspen Ridge Elementary School (NICE Community Schools). Additionally, over the years, she has done considerable substitute teaching.

Music has always been an integral part of Laura’s life: she enjoyed playing the piano, singing with her sisters, teaching private music lessons in voice, piano, and guitar, and directing/participating in church music ministry. She frequently served as piano accompanist and adjudicator for school music festivals and was the accompanist for Gitche Gumee Boys Choir in Marquette.

Laura was a dedicated and faithful Christian who loved the Lord. She was an active member of CrossBridge Church in Ishpeming.

Family was the centerpiece of Laura’s life, accompanied faithfully by her devoted husband for almost thirty-eight years. She fiercely loved all of her family, especially her three daughters. Laura made every effort to attend all family gatherings. She especially liked to go camping with her family, and Copper Harbor was always a favorite destination. More recently, she cherished time spent at the family-owned lake frontage.

Scrapbooking was another of Laura’s favorite pastimes. Her daughters are lucky to have their precious childhood memories memorialized in such a beautiful format. Laura also loved a good garage sale or shopping at thrift stores; the search for unexpected treasures brought her great joy.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Woolard, of Ishpeming, whom she married on Aug 11th, 1984, in Marquette, three daughters – Christina Woolard of Brooklyn, NY; Rachel (David) Eudy of Goose Creek, SC and Rebecca Woolard of Ishpeming; three sisters – Sharon (Terry) Green of Harvey; Amy (Jim) Minard and Virginia Hedberg both of Ishpeming; brother – Scott (Kelly) Schaefer of McMillan; brother-in-law – Gary (Kathy) Woolard of Wyoming, MI; along with several nieces and nephews.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents – Raymond and Jacqueline Schaefer; a sister – Sue Schaefer; and an infant brother – Allan Schaefer; brothers-in-law – Gary Hedberg and Dale Woolard.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday February 14th, 2022, from 3:00-5:00pm, at the CrossBridge Church in Ishpeming, with a funeral service to follow at 5:00pm, with Pastor Kevin McIlhany to officiate. A dinner will be served at the church following the services. Interment will take place in the spring at the West Lakefield Twp. Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the NICE Music Makers, Westwood High School, 300 Westwood Dr., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Laura’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.