Laurie Kocanda of Spearfish and Rapid City, passed away peacefully June 29th, 2018.

She is remembered for all that she has done for others and how she has been a major influence in shaping the family's future and the paths that many have walked. It's been a difficult time for some as she has been preceded in death earlier this year by her husband, James, who passed away in January.

Laurie was a gentle, selfless soul who believed in service before self. One who believed in honesty and integrity, the importance of faith and family and she was a person who would stand tall in the face of adversity, advocating beliefs in our freedoms as United States Citizens. Laurie was born in Illinois and raised in several farming communities in Wisconsin.

She is the fifth and youngest of her siblings, Frances (Edward Sesko) of Brown County Wisconsin; Helen (Ivan) Lovelace of Sobieski, Wisconsin; Alice Ott of Oconto County, Wisconsin; and Glorianne Ziemba of Des Plaines, Illinois.

She is survived by her son Dr. Martin Kocanda, his wife Norma (Tolia) Kocanda and her two grandchildren, Brandon and Alex Kocanda and cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; two sons, Michael and Robert; and her parents, Joseph Ziemba and Sophie (Jankowski) Ziemba of Brown County, Wisconsin.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date honoring the memory of her and James Kocanda, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make an offering in her name to the Boy's Club of Rapid City.