It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Laurie Jean Wickenburg of Santa Rosa, CA — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
Laurie spent her working life as ['Western Neuro Care in Tustin', 'PT aide while he prepared to apply to PT school'] and held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Laurie loved will continue to hold those she loved.
Laurie entered into eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 23, 2026.
She was surrounded by her family and closest friends as she passed away peacefully after a long and challenging illness.
Born in Pasadena, California on June 19th, 1963, to Warand and Romayne Kirsch. She and her family were then living in Arcadia. The family relocated to Hermantown, Minnesota when she was 10 years old. Laurie graduated from Hermantown High School in 1981. She then attended the University of Minnesota in Duluth (UMD) where she graduated with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders and went on to complete a Masters Degree in Speech Language and Pathology.
When Laurie was 19 years old and an undergraduate at UMD, she met John, her future husband and loving soulmate when her best friend, Becky, introduced them to each other. After Laurie graduated from UMD she moved to Southern California where her parents were now living. She took a job in Camarillo and after a few months John joined her there.
Laurie and John then moved to Orange County and worked at Western Neuro Care in Tustin. John worked as a PT aide while he prepared to apply to PT school. They were married in 1988 in Costa Mesa. John was accepted to the PT program at CSULB and graduated in 1991. In January of 1992 they moved to Santa Rosa and accepted positions at North Coast Rehabilitation hospital.
In 1996 the couple was blessed to welcome Nicholas and Barret into the world as preemie twins. Their third son, Liam, joined the family in 2001.
Laurie was a gifted speech therapist and impacted many lives with her expertise and her deeply caring nature. Described by many as "an angel in human form" and by others as "the gentlest and kind human being I have ever met". She joyfully served as a youth worker and bible teacher to youth at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
She always placed the needs of her family, friends, church and community before herself. Even as she suffered from chronic illness, she continued her kind and loving ways.
Her loving parents preceded her in death. She is survived by John, Nicholas, Barret and Liam as well as a sister, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service celebrating her beautiful life will be held on June 13th, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa.
Laurie will be immensely missed by her loving family and friends. She leaves a legacy of gentleness, love and acceptance of all who knew and loved her.
