Laura Weiskamp

I held my wife, my darling, gently in my arms for the last time on Friday, October 15th.
Laura was born to Rita (Hanfland) and Maurice Weishaar October 25th 1954 in Shelbyville Illinois.  She grew up and attended public schools in Shelbyville before attending the University of Illinois.  Although she received a degree in French she began her work life as a carpenter for Denny Hutton of Hutton Homes Construction, Champaign where we first met.  She later returned to school for her master's work at the School for International Training in Brattleboro Vermont, subsequently student teaching in Maine and in Haiti.  She declined a permanent position at the Haitian American Institute to return to Urbana to make a life here with me.
In 1982 Laura and Mary Lee McDonald co-founded Working Women Construction.  At that time women in construction were truly ground breaking in a way that is hard to imagine today.  During the next 10 years she inspired and introduced many women to the construction trades.  Laura then re-invented herself as Hang It All Anyway! hanging wallpapers and providing truly amazing faux wood and metal finishes.
Three beautiful children entered our lives in 1993.  A dream come true for both of us!  We gave up our 5 different last names and rechristened ourselves the "Weiskamps" in 1995 when our adoption was complete. Laura was a devoted and caring mother for the rest of her life.
Laura loved the outdoors, camping and hiking, an avid reader, a contra dancer.  She volunteered for several years as a rape crisis advocate and worked with several other volunteer organizations in C-U.  She sang in the Amasong choir and attended the Michigan Women's Music Festival annually for 30 years and where she made so many loyal friends.
Laura's father, mother and sister Kristi all have passed on before her.  She is survived by myself, Edward, her children Viola Weiskamp and Gerald Weiskamp both of Chicago and Daniel Weiskamp of Urbana.  Also surviving is her brother Tony and wife Debbie Weishaar of Shelbyville, nephews Aaron Weishaar of Carmel Indiana, Wade Weishaar of Chicago, and Mark Lovekamp of Chapin Illinois
Although she was greatly debilitated by Parkinson's in her later years please remember her as the vibrant, caring woman who was a true friend to so many.  She was kind, funny, determined and was so wonderful to me in every way that a person could be.  Every single day of these past 40 years was for me and incredible joy and privilege.
Please join the family on November 6, 2021 at 1:00 PM to celebrate the life of Laura Weiskamp. Kalyx Center, 436 E 1300 North Road, Monticello, Illinois. Email Ed to RSVP at edweiskamp@hotmail.com.
 

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