Laura Ann Wekseth, 97, Barnum, died peacefully Feb. 23, 2022, in Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born July 26, 1924, in Barnum to Oscar and Sarah Peterson. Laura grew up in the Barnum area, attending Central School and later Barnum High School, where she had the honor of being homecoming queen.

On Nov. 16, 1942, Laura married Russell Wekseth in Moose Lake. They continued living in the Barnum area, where they dairy farmed through the years. Laura also worked at the Moose Lake State Hospital and Billman's Cafe and Duesler's Coffee Shop in Barnum. She was a homemaker through the years and an incredible mom who was truly family oriented. Laura was strong in her faith and loved being a member of the Brethren Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; parents, Oscar and Sarah Peterson; mother- and father-in-law, Ethel and Rudy Wekseth; siblings Quinten Peterson, Arlene Peterson, Lillian Paulson, Burton Peterson, Kenneth Peterson and Iola Mraz; son Russell Wekseth; and grandchildren Dean Mundell and Becky Wekseth.

Laura will be lovingly remembered by her four children Lorna (Gene) Bryant of Carlton, Edward (Karen) Wekseth of Sauk Rapids, Randy (Patricia) Wekseth of Mahtowa, and Mick (Lisa) Wekseth of Barnum; grandchildren Glen (Mary) Mundell, Sara (Kreg) Ostby, Carmen (Randy) Jokimaki, Rusty (Camie) Wekseth, Colleen (Jim) Myhre, Laurie (Al) Peck, Donna (Ben) Jensen, Michael (Leah) Wekseth, Benjamin (Leah) Wekseth, Angela (Adam) Frazer, Nicole Wekseth, and Cody Wekseth; 37 great-grandchildren and 40 great-great grandchildren; sister Alice (Edward) Henninger of Carlton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation: 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. service Friday, March 4 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home in Moose Lake. Spring burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Carlton. Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home in Moose Lake.