Laurie K. Dennis passed away suddenly early Saturday morning May 18, 2013 at her home in Watertown. Laurie was born in Olmsted County on December 8, 1959. She spent her childhood and grade school years in Kasson and moved to Rochester in 1971 where she attended John Adams and John Marshall schools. She married David Birch and they were later divorced. Laurie moved to Hastings where she did childcare in her home but she eventually settled in Watertown.

Laurie enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, decorating, fishing and cooking. She was always trying out new recipes very successfully. She also loved animals, especially her dogs, and gave several unwanted dogs a loving home. Laurie liked to be outdoors and spent many hours taking her dog companions for walks and to a nearby pond to watch them swim, play fetch and race through the grass.

Laurie is survived by her parents, Carol (Jan) Dennis of St Charles and Marian (George Dodds) Dennis of Eden Prairie, one son Alex (Mallory) Birch of Woodbury, one daughter Grace Dennis of Hastings, two sisters Susan (Tim O’Donnell) McCoy of Eden Prairie and Kiki Dennis of Rochester, her significant other Monte Mathews of Watertown and her best friend Mike Dudley of Watertown.

Memorial services to celebrate Laurie’s life were held on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at the Watertown City Hall Community Center from 1:00 to 3:00 pm with a service at 2:00.