On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 we lost our beautiful Laura (Lou). Laura Beth Harrison, 68, passed away peacefully at her home in Ft. Myers, Florida with her loving husband of 50 years, Toby (Toe), by her side. Laura was born April 7, 1955 in Chanute, Kansas to Lloyd Barham and Ardis (Old/Barham) Bachus. On August 18, 1973, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Toby Harrison, in Newton, Kansas. Laura graduated from Wichita State University in 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and pursued a nursing career focused on obstetrics. She was a vested participant at the birth of each of her grandchildren.
Laura was an extraordinary wife, devoted mother, adoring grandmother, and a cherished friend to many. She lived her life full of love and compassion having a special connection to animals taking in several dogs and raising two ducklings over the years. She was a world traveler and enjoyed numerous international adventures with Toby where she started and cultivated many global friendships. She had a particular fondness for Italy and even learned to speak Italian. Her travels enhanced her appreciation of architectural design and decor which she incorporated in her various homes. She loved the holidays and Christmas always brought her much joy. Laura (Mimi) especially relished spending time with her grandchildren, always entertaining and amusing them, and even coming up with witty and affectionate nicknames for each. Although she stepped away from her career as a nurse in the early nineties to focus on raising her family, she continued to build her knowledge, keep up with medical advancements and maintained a devotion to medicine throughout her life.
Laura was very proud of her family and the life she made with Toby. She will be remembered for her incredibly large heart, warm smile, brilliant mind, and wild sense of humor. This world will be so much less colorful without her. We love you always and forever.
She is survived by her husband Toby; son: Kacey (wife Sinead) Harrison; daughters: Amber (husband Brandon) Bogue; April (husband Chad) Childers and Alissa Harrison; brothers: Kenneth Barham and Arlen Barham; sister Jan (husband Dave) Hennes. She is also survived by six grandchildren Braxton (Sizzle), Alexa (Goosecat), Jasper (Spurino), Bridger (Bridgy Boy), Halston (Luv Bug), and Violette (VeeVee).
Laura is preceded in death by her father Lloyd Barham.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm December 8th, 2023 at University Congregational Church in Wichita. Visitation with family will be 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Kensington Gardens Cemetery in Wichita.
Memorials may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society and Left in Care of Petersen Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be considered to the following Pancreatic Cancer Research Organizations: