Laurene Idell McRae, 88, passed away Sept. 24, 2008, at Mountain View Manor in Eureka. She was born Jan. 18, 1920, in Deer Park, Wis., to John and Lottie (Erickson) Mikalson.

The family moved to Eureka in 1927. She was "big sister" to Donald, Alice, Gordon and Shirley. She attended school in Eureka and graduated from high school in 1938.

On May 18, 1946, she married Angus McRae. They had four children, Carl, Teresa (Cope), Laurie (Pinkie Hull) and Gary.

Laurene loved to dance and was well known for her hearty laugh. She was a cook at several restaurants, the Eureka grade school, and Mountain View Manor. She retired in 1981 and spent the next 20 years making beautiful quilts and spoiling her eight grandkids.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Royal Neighbors and the Weedette Garden Club. She was also involved in Toys for Tots.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Angus; son, Carl; her parents; two brothers, and a sister.

Survivors include her daughters, Teresa Cope, and Laurie Hull "Pinkie" and husband Dave, of Eureka; son, Gary McRae, of Big Sky; grandchildren, David, Theresa, Neil, Donalena, Nikki, Heidi, David "Spud" and Mikael; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Shae, Courtney, Connor, Lexi, Christian, Cameron, Colette, Caleb, Dylan, Lane, Wren and Owen; a sister, Shirley Barrett, and husband Jack, of Lakeside; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held Monday, Sept. 29, at the First Baptist Church in Eureka with Pastor Paul Lovitt officiating. Burial was at Tobacco Valley Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.