Laurel K. Magnus

Laurel Kay Magnus unexpectedly passed away Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Laurel was born in Greeley, Colorado, to Marlow and Donna Magnus. As the daughter of traveling domestic missionaries, Laurel spent her childhood traveling with her parents and sister to small towns throughout the western states, where they planted churches in communities where there were none. Her father would often pastor two or three churches at a time, and Laurel’s childhood was filled with Sunday worship services, Wednesday night programs, church gatherings, fellowship, and the beautiful gift of living life in community with others who loved Jesus.

From her earliest days, Laurel’s life was deeply rooted in Christ and His Church. Faith was not simply something her family practiced; it was the foundation upon which she learned to understand the world, love others, and live her life.

Laurel was an adventurous, playful, sweet young lady. She could often be found outside building a fort, climbing a tree, playing with bugs, or finding friends among the rabbits, butterflies, and squirrels that wandered the land. She loved spending time with her immediate and extended family, family friends, and treasured the deep bond she shared with her sister, Lynnette, who was her best friend and confidant.

During her teenage years, Laurel’s family moved to Fond du Lac, Minnesota, where her father carried out his final assignment as pastor of Fond du Lac Community Church. It was in the Duluth area that Laurel met and married Bob Cora. Together, they moved to Biwabik, Minnesota, where Laurel experienced one of the greatest joys of her life: becoming a mother to two children, Japheth and Alisha.

From that moment forward, Laurel devoted her life to caring for, loving, teaching, and pouring herself into her children. Motherhood was not one part of her life; it became the place where her faith was most beautifully lived out. She sought to raise her children to know Jesus, to love His Word, to recognize His voice, and to understand that their lives belonged to Him.

Later Laurel would move to River Falls, Wisconsin where she raised her teenaged kids, found a career at Moody’s Inc. (which really was a mission field for her because of all the people interaction), and built a community. She loved spending time with family and friends; to her there was nothing more special or important. Her life certainly had struggles, but she was a tenacious force, determined to work out the difficulties and do what was right.

Laurel was a woman of immeasurably deep faith. She was passionately, completely, and unapologetically on fire for the Lord every day of her life. Jesus was the center of everything. She studied His Word, sought His presence, listened for His leading, and built relationships with others so that she could love them with the love of Christ.

Laurel was known for how she loved. Her love was a rare, deep, all in no matter what, sacrificial love - without reservation or conditions. She loved with abandon. To this world it was sometimes confusing and may have looked reckless, but to those of us blessed enough to experience it – it was life changing, leaving a permeant imprint. She loved people where they were at, believing deeply in who God had created them to be. Her love had a way of reaching past walls, wounds, fears, failures, and touching the deepest places of people’s hearts. She embodied the love of Christ here on earth, and those who encountered her could feel it.

Laurel was a committed prayer warrior. She counted it a joy and a sacred privilege to pray for people by name - intimately, consistently, and steadfastly. She was an intercessor. Every day, she chose to put on the full armor of God and enter the spiritual battle, standing in the gap for her family, her friends, and countless others she knew and didn’t know.

She understood that there was a war being waged beyond what could be seen. She prayed with conviction. She prayed with persistence. She prayed through a literal river of daily tears, believing that God moves, heals, restores, saves, and answers.

Her prayers became a consistent fragrance and aroma before the throne of God. She carried people to the Lord when they were too weary to carry themselves. She interceded when others had lost hope. She stood in faith when circumstances said otherwise, trusting that the God she loved would somehow make a way.

Laurel lived her life in desperation for Jesus. Her life circumstances were such that if God did not show up, there were no other options. In this world’s economy she was poor, but in God’s economy she was rich beyond measure in faith, love, hope of what’s to come, and true contentment in God’s love. She did not place her worth in worldly riches, accomplishments, recognition, or the temporary things of this world. She invested her life in the unseen Kingdom of God - the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, that does not fade and will endure forever.

She was a ferocious warrior against Satan’s evil and a relentless defender of God’s good. She knew whose side she was on, and she knew who ultimately has victory.

Her passing has caused a spiritual shockwave and ripple effect through the lives of everyone who knew and loved her. We grieve because Laurel’s presence was extraordinary, and her absence is enormous.

There is little left unsaid and little left untaught, she gave us the greatest gift and everything we need – she gave us Jesus.

Her life is a declaration that Jesus is worthy of everything!

Laurel is survived by her devoted children, son Japheth, daughter Alisha, and son-in-law Aaron; her cherished grandchildren, Jacob, Audrey, Eliana, and Elijah; dear friend and father of her children, Robert; her niece Jana; nephews David and Jeff; great nephews Ethan and Isaac; as well as extended family and many dear friends whose lives are forever changed by knowing and being loved by her.

Laurel was preceded in death by her parents, Marlow and Donna Magnus, and her beloved sister, Lynnette Speranza.

We will celebrate Laurel’s life on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Faith Community Church in Hudson, WI (777 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI). Open House Visitation to be held at 2pm, Memorial Service at 3pm with fellowship and refreshments to follow. Private interment at Fairview Cemetery, Lindstrom, Minnesota.

Cards and/or gifts can be given to Alisha Soule, 21027 Odell Avenue North, Scandia, MN 55073. Or, if desired, a GoFundMe page has been thoughtfully set up to help support end of life expenses https://gofund.me/2cda402f9