Obituary
It is with great sadness that we share that Laura Jane ( Pontius) Turner, 76, currently of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, died 12/09/2024.
Laura was born in Macon, Missouri on 10/22/1948.
She graduated from Salisbury High School in 1965 and from St. Lukes School of Nursing in 1968.
She also completed her bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management.
Laura was honored as the Employee of the Year at St. Lukes Hospital in 1979.
She was a long-standing member of Lee’s Summit Christian Church and loved her faith family there.
Laura was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her family and friends.
She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and strength.
Laura is survived by her daughter, Lisa Vaughn (Chris), granddaughter, Erin Riley Vaughn, brother, Mike Pontius, nephews Corey Alan ( Kellie) and children Grace and Graden and Jared Miles ( Dr. Gina) and children Leah, J.C., Elijah and Sarah and brother-in-law, Rick Trammell.
A memorial celebration of life will be held on January 11th @ 11:00 a.m. at Lee’s Summit Christian Church, 800 NE Tudor Road, Lee’s Summit Missouri 64086.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee's Summit 64086
Services
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Laura was my roommate at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing. I will always remember the good times we shared. Our class of 1968 continues to get together for lunches. Laura was a big part of our group. In 2018 We came together and celebrated our 50th class reunion. I will miss her with fond memories.
We have so many wonderful memories of working with Laura on Cursillo and Camino weekends. I remember that she liked to,sleep with a box fan near her bed on those weekends. We both admired her and loved her.
I am so sad to hear of Laura’s passing. We worked together when she was the manager of the emergency room at Saint Luke’s Hospital. She was a joy to work with and such a down to earth person. She will be missed!!
I worked with Laura for years at St. Lukes. She was a great nurse with a caring demeanor with her patients and a great sense of humor. I also was able to share time with her after her retirement playing cards with her and a group of other nurses we worked with. Wonderful memories. May Laura rest in peace.
I have known Laura since 1965 and our paths crossed many times. What I remember most is her positive attitude. She worked miracles in the ER at St. Luke’s when she was head nurse and was a huge help in pre-op assessments. The, 1985, at Camino (Cursillo) when I got to know her even better. What a loss, but I know that she is whole and no more pain.The angels got a gem.
Lisa, and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Laura’s passing. She struggled far too many times but didn’t give up. Laura was a great friend. She will be missed.
Lisa and family
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother
I worked with Laura at St Luke’s for many years Many of us would get together and play cards, enjoy a meal and many laughs. She was always a joy and upbeat even with her struggles. She will be missed greatly. God bless her soul.
I’m so sorry to hear of this . Your mother was an amazing co-worker. She also displayed a sweet disposition to all those she encountered. My prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Lisa and family,
Deepest condolences to you all. Laura was a precious and beautiful soul. Years ago, we worked together on many projects at Lee’s Summit Christian Church. She was a dear, supportive and caring friend. I grieve with you in this loss, but I know that she is rejoicing in Heaven. God bless.
Laura graduated high school and entered St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing at the age of 16, a profession that requires strength academically and in maturity. I recall her engaging smile and strikingly beautiful dark black hair! She’s graduated at the age of 19, an age that most spent as freshman in the program. We reconnected at our 50th reunion. She has faced multiple , painful and frightening hospitalizations and disability with courage and humor. The “baby” of our class showed us old gals how to accept life on life’s terms. Rest in peace my friend.
Laura always had a smile and a laugh. She brought joy to so many people. I’m glad she is no longer having to deal with her health issues. We’ll miss her.
She was a special person and I know you will miss her greatly.
I’m sorry for your guys loss and Laura was a sweetheart when I got to know her when I first started at john Knox village at the fireside restaurant, she made me laugh and smile whenever I got to see her in the restaurant. I’m sorry for your loss and my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Laura Turner and I’ll be grieving with you guys too. I know she’s in heaven looking down at everyone
My condolences to your family. I met Laura when she and my mother were both in the Village Care Center last year. We enjoyed our time chatting in the dining hall last summer. Soon after my mother moved to Village Assisted Living, Laura moved in too. I was thrilled to be able to stop and visit her many times each week in the last year as we struck up a friendship. She faced all of her challenges with humor and aplomb. We laughed about many things, which was a blessing to me. I hope I was some blessing to her, too, when I was able to pray with her. She spoke often of her granddaughter Erin, of whom she was obviously very proud. I hope your family can take comfort in the knowledge that my dear friend is with her Savior, Jesus. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven one day where I can see her suffering no longer and laughing again. <3
Laura was a very caring person. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.