Laura Lu Thompson

With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Laura Lu Thompson.

A gathering to celebrate Laura’s life will be 2:00p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Tampico Baptist Church, 209 W 3rd St, Tampico, IL 61283. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the celebration. A fellowship will be held following the celebration. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. Given Laura’s love of animals, memorial donations may be made to any local animal shelter in honor of her memory.

Laura was born October 24, 1955, in Dixon, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Helen (Hays) Thompson. She graduated from Tampico High School in 1973.

She proudly retired from Northwestern Steel and Wire in Sterling after 21 years of dedicated service. As the first woman to work on the steel line, her strength and determination left a lasting impact, instilling a deep sense of empowerment and pride in her sisters, nieces, and most of all, her daughter. As a part of the Steelworkers Union, she also advocated for underrepresented union members.

Laura was a loving caregiver for her mother and her grandmother. She also loved acting in community theater and playing bingo with family and friends. She was always ready to lead the next crazy adventure.

She was a member of Tampico Baptist Church and loved attending with her brother before his passing. She also loved her many pets over the years and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her devoted daughter, family, and friends.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Emily Thompson of Tampico; sisters, Gigi (Chuck) Heffelfinger of Monroe, WI and Pati (Joe) Lynch of Richland, WA; sister in law Janis Thompson of Deer Grove; brother in law Bill VanLanduit of Tampico; nieces and nephews, David Donnelly, Alan Thompson, Jr., Michelle Anderson, Jennifer Morales, Angie Beighle, Stephanie Lindstrom, Charlie Heffelfinger, Ashley Nolan, Michael Heffelfinger, and Jim Lynch; and several great and great great -nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Helen Thompson; siblings, Al Thompson and Debi VanLanduit, as well as a sister in infancy; and her great-nephew, Jake Woodley.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.

Flowers are recommended through Lundstrom Florist, Sterling, IL - www.lundstromflorist.com