Laura Jo Litke was a vibrant, caring and joyful soul. She always had a smile on her face and a story to tell that would brighten your day. Laura loved her two boys, Keaton and Cameron, with all her heart.
Laura was born in Valparaiso, Indiana and moved with the family to Rhode Island before settling in Michigan when she was 8 years old. She attended Lakeshore Schools, where she was a 3-year member of the Girls Varsity basketball team. After high school, she attended Western Michigan University where she earned a BA in Tourism, which was very appropriate because she loved to travel. Her professional life included travel agent, hotel sales director and resort operations manager. Laura lived in Florida, Texas and Kansas before settling in Scottsdale, AZ in 2004. Recently, she went back to college and earned a culinary degree. Laura loved to cook and bake for family and friends.
During her lifetime, she travelled extensively. It wouldn’t be unusual for her to take a few days off and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway in California or hike in the desert mountains of Arizona. She travelled to Europe several times, including Austria, Italy and France. One of her favorite trips was to England and Scotland with her two sons.
Laura volunteered as a Scottsdale Old Town Ambassador, helping tourists make the most of their visit. She volunteered as an usher at Hohokam Park in Mesa, where her favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, previously held their spring training games. She was active in the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was the President of the condominium association where she resided.
Laura’s happy, kind and upbeat approach to life will be sorely missed by all. We love you Laura.
Laura’s family includes her son Cameron Litke, her brother Phil (Becky) Laney and their children , Dawson, Tela and Trent, and beloved nephews, Ross Laney and Hayden Davis.
Laura was preceded in death by parents (Dick and Rene Laney), sister (Lynn Laney Davis), her brother (Rick Laney) and her son (Keaton Litke).
Please join us as we celebrate Laura’s life, Saturday November 11, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Memorial service will be held at 12:00 P.M. followed by a time of food & fellowship. Memorials in Laura’s name may be made to the Berrien County Blanket Brigade. Those wishing to sign Laura’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.