Barbara A. Laguna

PENCE, Wis. - Barbara A. (Anderson) Laguna, 84, of Pence, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at her home, with her family at her side, after 23 long years of battling cancer.

Barb was born on Dec. 1, 1939, to Leon J. and Ann D. (Umolac) Anderson. She attended J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, and graduated in 1957.

She spent her childhood and teenage years brought up living in the Santini Hotel in Hurley, with her parents and sister, Darlene. As a young girl she enjoyed being at Pine Lake at her father's cottage where she loved the outdoors. Barb also enjoyed skiing, helping her parents manage the bar, and taking reservations for the rooms that were for rent.

On July 14, 1962, Barbara was united in marriage to Alfred "Bucky" Laguna at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley.

In Barb's younger years she was employed by Bell Telephone as a switchboard supervisor. She transferred to Milwaukee and then to Jacksonville, Florida, where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Navy. She returned to Hurley after a couple of years and has lived in the area since. Barb did some work outside the home, but was a homemaker most of her life.

Barb was a loving, caring and giving mother and wife. She enjoyed raising her four children and loved spending all the time in the world with her granddaughters. She loved cooking and baking, and shopping for clothes, shoes and jewelry. She took pride in looking her best. She was obsessed with doing laundry and was teased about it all the time.

Barb is survived by her loving husband, Bucky; a son, Mark A. Laguna (Brenda); three daughters, Renee M. Hill (Roger), Robyn A. Laguna and Dawn M. Laguna; and three beautiful granddaughters, Sarah Laguna, Cora Laguna and Aubrey Laguna - her sunshine, joy, and inspiration to live for the past 14 years.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Leon J. Anderson and Ann D. Anderson; sister, Darlene Bolsen; brother-in-law, Richard Bolsen; aunt, Ruby Santini; father-in-law, Louis Laguna Sr .; mother-in-law, Paula Laguna; sister-in-law, Loretta Laguna; and daughter-in-law, Brenda (Davis) Laguna.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her, including her beloved dog, Scout.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A private memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church at a later date.

A committal service and interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Hurley, in the spring.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.