Laura Soliz

Drinking in the calm serenity of the ocean with the gently lapping waves as her only companion is where Laurie Soliz loved to be. Laurie spent her days trying to help others, and it was common knowledge among those that knew her that she would do anything for anyone. She viewed becoming a mother as both her greatest accomplishment and most precious gift. In fact, Laurie saw all children as priceless souls and would often tell them, “You make my heart happy.” In so many ways Laurie was like a magnificent sunrise splashed across the sky, her vibrant light darkened much too soon.

The sixties were a time like no other in America as we had elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President, feminism was gaining momentum like never before, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was in full swing. It was also during this time that in Carson City, Michigan, Ralph and Barbara Soliz were basking in the glow of the birth of their daughter, Laura Ann. Born on August 13, 1961, Laura was a good natured baby, and quickly became known as Laurie. Raised as one of five children in her family, she developed a love for nature from a young age as she soon discovered that she loved having the window seat in the car to take it all in. On one occasion, her sister Lisa opened the car door while they were driving through the park, leaving Laurie to hang onto the door for dear life to avoid falling out! As a young girl, Laurie was quiet, but would get easily angered if she was provoked, and she often ran away to her Aunt Angie’s when she got upset. She loved reading mysteries, especially the Nancy Drew series, and one summer she read a total of 500 books! In the Soliz family, Laurie was always the peacemaker who wanted to help solve problems between people.

By the time she reached middle school, Laurie had developed quite a personality and was the practical joker of her class. In high school, she was a gifted debater and was very intelligent too, even earning a place on the Ovid-Elsie High School Quiz Bowl Team. Laurie was very gifted socially and made friends easily, and she also loved being around family. She learned how to drive in a cornfield of all places, and went on to graduate as part of the class of 1979 from Ovid-Elsie High School.

Education was important to Laurie and after high school she attended Michigan State University for a semester, but then transferred to Central Michigan University so that she could live with family while pursuing her studies. In order to earn some money during this time, Laurie cleaned houses, and showed her sense of humor when she short-sheeted the bed of someone she knew at their home!

One of the things that Laurie was most known for was her strong work ethic. She began her successful career as a human resource manager with the Kmart Corporation until her store closed. She then worked for several years with Home Depot, and then recently for a local oil company, Fairweather E&P Services, Inc., in her hometown in Alaska.

While busy building her career, an exciting turn was in store for Laurie. When she was on a trip with friends, she initiated a “baby name game” just for fun. Actually, Laurie knew she was pregnant at the time, but didn’t want anyone else to know yet, and was looking for help picking out names for her future bundle of joy. She was later blessed with the birth of her daughter, Rachael, in January of 1985, and she completely embraced her role as a mother. Although Laurie had to work a lot, she was always looking for ways in which she could spend quality time with Rachael. She tried to make one night a week special around their home, implementing things such as taco night, movie night, or ice cream night. Their home was always open to everyone too whether cousins, nephews, or other family and friends. Every Christmas Laurie would rock Rachael to sleep while singing Jingle Bells. Actually, she loved the song so much that she even sang it to her daughter on Halloween!

Laurie was certainly an adventurous person, and when she went on vacation to Alaska in 2000, she loved what she saw and her life was never the same. Laurie was so enthralled with her surroundings there that she said she knew there was a God. She came home, requested a transfer to Alaska, and moved near Anchorage in August of 2001 while working for Kmart. Laurie remained in Alaska throughout the rest of her life where she felt such a sense of peace and serenity.

With her kind and generous heart that seemed to be as endless as the ocean she so loved, Laurie Soliz brought such warmth and compassion to the world in which she lived. She was a devoted mother who treasured her entire family and group of friends, loving to surround herself with their warm company. Laurie was a bit of a kindred spirit who liked adventure, and held a special place in her heart for children. Laurie’s soul was captured by the splendor of Alaska – her soul satiated with the peace and calm of the ocean. She was a true beauty on the inside and out, her loss leaving a gaping chasm in the hearts and lives of all those she leaves behind. Laurie will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Laura Ann Soliz died at her home near Anchorage, Alaska on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Laurie’s family includes her daughter, Rachael Ledesma Soliz; son in law, Juan Carlos Ledesma; and six grandchildren, David, Marlania, Juan Carlos, Maria Isella, Condido Rafael and Octavio. Laurie is also survived by her loving parents, Ralph and Barbara Soliz, sister, Lisa (Neil) Criner, brothers, Timothy (Carol) Soliz, Steve (Susan) Soliz and sister, Rebecca (Jeff) Poli; as well as many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2009, at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid, with Rev. Dennis Boonstra officiating, burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery. Visit with Laurie’s family and friends at the funeral home, 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.