Laurel Iris DeYoung Cody

Laurel Iris DeYoung Cody was born in Rushmore, Minnesota on August 20th, 1932 and passed away on Monday, September 4, 2017. Her parents were Esther [Wittern] DeYoung and Egbert DeYoung of Sibley, Iowa. Laurel spent her early life being raised in Worthington, Minnesota with her brother and sisters. As a good looker growing up, her biggest honor was being the 1950 Worthington Turkey Day Queen and got to ride on a parade float with Senator Hubert Humphrey. Iron Mountain, Michigan was her next home followed by Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There she met the love of her life James Edward Cody of Antigo. Everyone then moved north of Port Washington on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here started her love of Siamese cats and Old English Sheep dogs. At this location many relatives came to enjoy the lake and late night beach campfires. With a job transfer the family moved across from Durwards Glen in the hills of Caledonia Township. She really enjoyed having the priests and brothers as neighbors and sharing their gardening secrets. Here she rediscovered her love of horses riding along the Glen Creek and eventually showing fine harness Saddlebreds. She and Jim also ran Hoppes then Codys Clothing Store with many days of laughter with their diverse customer base. Then they both had excellent opportunities in Madison with Jim as sales associate at JC Pennys and Laurel being a manager at one of the Emporium Stores. The Wisconsin winters finally drove them South to Sanibel Island where they opened up Laurels Lamps and Gifts which they ran for 14 years. Jim and Laurel then moved to the Plantation on the edge of Leesburg, Florida. The two of them enjoyed many a trip to different islands in the Caribbean with family and friends. After Jim passed away she kept herself active with neighborhood events and entertaining with having the best neighbors one could ever have. Feeding the visiting dogs and photographing cranes and her flowers were also part of her passion. Besides being a phenomenal cook she found relaxation doing country rides with the love of her life. Cheers to you Laurel, the lover of a good joke, an English murder mystery and a well mixed Manhattan! She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, daughter Shelly, her sisters Nellie and Zora and a brother Murray. She is survived by her son Michael/Diane, grandson Matthew/Ken, her granddaughters Trinity/Kristi and Pamela with great granddaughters Morgan and Julia. She is also survived by special friends Beverly, Paul& Ellen and Bill. A private family service will be held at a later date in Florida. Memorials in her name may given to the Durwards Glen Retreat of Baraboo.

Laurel Iris DeYoung Cody

August 20, 1932 - September 4, 2017