Laura Cichy

Laura Barbara Thoennes was born on May 30, 1923 at home in Effington Township, rural Urbank, Minnesota.  Her parents were the late John and Katherine (Terfehr) Thoennes.  Laura was baptized on June 3, 1923 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank, Minnesota. She attended and graduated from Country School District #85 near Urbank.  

On July 24, 1945 Laura was united in marriage with Clarence Bernard Cichy at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with 7 children: Elizabeth, Russell, Duane, Bernal, Mary Ann, Darlene and Lois.  Together Laura and Clarence made their home in rural Urbank where they farmed and raised their children.  In 1951 the Cichy Family moved to Inman Township, rural Henning and continued to farm until retirement in 1984.

On March 31, 2000 Clarence passed away.  Laura continued to reside on the family farm until moving into Henning in 2003.  She made her home at Willow Creek in 2010 and most recently at Our Home Your Home in 2018.

Laura was an active member of the St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, CCW, St. Edward’s serving group and prayer shawl ministry.  She served as President of Christian Mothers & CCW for several years and was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion, Inman Willing Workers Homemakers Club and Red Hatters Club.

She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and embroidery.  Laura also enjoyed gardening, growing beautiful flowers and her favorite pastime was playing cards.   She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren as she was very proud of each and every one of them.  

On January 27, 2023 Laura passed away peacefully at Our Home Your Home in Henning, Minnesota at 99 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.  Preceding Laura in death were her parents, John and Katherine Thoennes; husband Clarence; daughter, Mary Ann; son-in-law, Walt Barker; granddaughter, Roxanne (Barker) Hammer; brothers: Gerhard, Lawrence, Ben, Victor, Richard and Joe; sisters: Margaret, Eva, Veronica, Barbara and Frances.

Laura is survived by her children: Elizabeth “Betty” (John) Saari of Henning; Russell (Mary) Cichy of Madison, Wisconsin; Duane (Peggy) Cichy of Henning; Bernal (Rita) Cichy of Henning; Darlene (Dave) Ellingson of Kensington; Lois (Tim) Vold of Fargo, North Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arlene Thoennes of New Brighton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Cichy, please visit our floral store.