Laura Vangstad

Laura Rueckert Vangstad was born March 19, 1920 to Caroline (Schostag) and Albert Rueckert on a farm near West Union, MN, the second youngest of 13 siblings. She passed away peacefully on October 31 with friends and family by her side. She was 94 and a half. Melford Vangstad took Laura’s hand in marriage on Nov. 2, 1944. Together, they raised three sons, Richard, Melford Jr. and Curtis. They lived in New Orleans during Melford’s Naval tour and raised their children in Osakis, MN. In 1974, they moved to Wahpeton, ND and they retired to Zillah to be near their son Curtis in 1984. Laura worked as a sales clerk joyfully serving Coast to Coast hardware store customers in Osakis and Wahpeton for over 25 years. This quick wit, no nonsense woman had a wonderful sense of humor and sometimes pulled pranks on her coworkers. Her grandson Jonathan described her as strong, honest and blunt – all endearing qualities to this amazing woman. She enjoyed gardening, visiting, cooking, baking and something she called “gleaning.” The local food banks were very gracious of her bountiful gifts from harvest. Although she was full blooded German, she fully embraced her husband’s Norwegian heritage. Cuisine in the Vangstad household typically consisted of sauerkraut, cabbage, lutefisk, horseradish and lefse. She kept very busy in retirement making many friends in Zillah. She loved everyone dearly and never met a stranger. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, a local garden club and it seemed like she was also selling a ticket for some good cause. She is proceeded in death by her husband Melford Sr., a son, Melford Jr. and 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother Oscar, sons Richard (Kay) Vangstad and Curtis (Lana) Vangstad, 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. The family thanks the Covenant House for the love and care they showed Laura in her final years. The viewing will be held 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4 at Zillah Valley Hills Mortuary. Friends and family are welcome to join the family at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 5 at the Zillah Nazarene Church. Luncheon to follow at the Zillah Civic Center. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to The Toppenish Food Bank. Valley Hills Mortuary of Zillah is in charge of funeral arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Laura Vangstad, please visit our flower store.