On Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at the age of 93, Laura Lee Shoemaker peacefully passed away in Manistee, Michigan, surrounded by her daughters. She was the daughter of the late Edna (Heiden) Berns and Henry Berns.

Laura was born in Monroe, Michigan, on Sept. 9, 1933, and grew up on her family’s farm with her parents and six siblings. She was a devoted sister, and had strong bonds with all of her beloved siblings. She graduated from Dundee High School in 1952, and when she was 22 years old, she took a waitressing position at Jack and Jill Ranch along with her sister Eva. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dale, who worked as a wrangler at the ranch, and they were married in 1958. In 1963, they moved to Manistee where they became valued community members and raised three daughters in the home they loved, where they resided for the next 63 years.

Laura was a devoted mom, who allowed endless sleepovers and playdates, always gave the most thoughtful gifts, and loved caring for her home and her family. She had a knack for making everything special--birthday parties, holidays, especially Christmas, and she truly enjoyed entertaining and setting a lovely table. She loved music and dancing, delicious food, and had a deep appreciation for a good cup of coffee. Laura had a green thumb, which she inherited from her dad, and she loved gardening, and planting, and tending to her many flowers. She also was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and never missed a game, participating from her couch as if she were in the dugout.

Laura began working at the Manistee Milliken’s department store in the 70’s and was a familiar face to area residents and visitors who shopped there. She eventually took on the role of assistant manager, and remained through the store’s transitions to Stage-Milliken, and then Gliks. Eventually, she retired to make room for travel, which she and Dale loved to do, by motorcycle, and later with their fifth-wheel camper, which was their second home. The two became true snowbirds, and spent 13 winters in Cedar Key, Florida, at Sunset Point Campground. Laura was a working camper, who welcomed guests at check-in, ran the weekly Poker Walk, and made sure things were running smoothly. She enjoyed endless singalongs around the campfire and plenty of pot luck dinners with the beloved family she and Dale created there.

Laura’s final six months of life were spent at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility, along with her late husband. She loved sitting in the community room, taking meals with Dale and listening to country music with the staff and residents. Laura was well-loved by her kind and attentive caregivers, creating yet another family there, and she especially liked visits from friends who dropped by with donuts and coffee, and kept her updated on all the happenings around town.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Doris (Gerhardt) Althoff; her brothers, Lavern (Sally) and Walter (Madelyn) Berns; her sister Eva McCarthy; and her husband, Dale. She is survived by her sister Linda (Richard) Miller; her three children, Dawn Gorman, Amy Stewart, and Jody Shoemaker; four grandchildren, Olivia (Florencio) Beltran, Nora Gorman, Tyler Minster, and Jonah Stewart; one great grandchild, Drayton Rankin, and numerous brother- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Manistee County Medical Care Facility in Laura’s name.

Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.oakgrovefh.com