Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Laurie Lee Bondora

Laurie Lee Bondora went home to be with our Heavenly Father on July 15, 2023, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

She was born October 17, 1952, to Edward Dykstra Sr. and Lillian (Ament) Dykstra in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She grew up there and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1971.

She liked to clog dance and was interested in fashion design. She met her lifelong best friend Pam Hurtgen at a clothing store where they worked. They competed together in the Shriver's Sweet 16 beauty contest and had a blast.

The Dykstra and Bondora families were longtime friends. George P. Bondora Jr. was smitten with her from childhood. Oftentimes he would find an excuse to work on cars at Huset's gas station just to impress her.

They married on May 18, 1974, and were blessed with three children. Kelcey G. was born and went to be with the LORD in July of 1974. Tiffony L. was born in February of 1981 and George P. III was born in June of 1986.

George and Laurie moved from Sioux Falls to Piedmont around '76-'77. In the summer of 1981 they relocated to Upton, Wyoming so he could take a police officer position under Leonard Whisler.

Laurie owned and operated a video rental store and VCR cleaning business until they purchased Coutant's Conoco in '88 or '89. They did many upgrades and improvements over the decades including building a campground in the back.

The campground is still operational, but her family convinced her in 2012 or 2013 to retire so that she and George could travel. They were able to see and do many things before she was unable. She was a talented quilter and seamstress, loved gardening and out-fishing George while reading a book.

She is survived by her mother, Lillian Finn of Sioux Falls; husband, George Bondora Jr; daughter, Tiffony (Lester) Riehemann; son, George III (Collette) Bondora; grandson, Colter Houch; granddaughter, Taylie Houch; grandson, George Bondora IV; siblings, Bev (Bob) Merritt, Kathy (Chuck) Bush, Ed Dykstra, Julie (Al) Tengel, Jan (Larry) Crofutt and numerous nephews and nieces whom she loved very much. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Dykstra Sr .; her son, Kelcey Bondora; and her sister-in-law, Kathy Dykstra.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Home in Sundance, Wyoming. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery in Upton.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com

 
 
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