Ann (Scroggins) Laurenson, 76, died Saturday, January 2 in Columbia, Missouri. Her family is comforted to know that she will be rejoined with her beloved husband of 49 years, Robert M. (Butch) Laurenson who passed away in 2011. Ann was born Alice Ann Scroggins on September 4, 1939 in Springfield, Missouri to Bessie 'Sonny' and Del Scroggins.
She is survived, and will be dearly missed, by two daughters: Susan E. Matchael of Fairbanks, Alaska and Shari L. (and Ewell) Lawson of Columbia, Missouri; one grandson, Joe Lawson; and one granddaughter, Katie Lawson. She is also survived by her brother, Rev. Gary (and Sandy) Scroggins of Brazil, Indiana and her sister, Susan (and Don) Powell of Springfield, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her best friend and husband, Butch and her parents, Bessie 'Sonny' and Del Scroggins.
After graduating from Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield, Ann went to Southwest Missouri State for two years where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a B.S. in Nursing in 1961. Ann worked as a nurse for several years in Michigan and Georgia to support the family while Butch finished his graduate degrees. Ann and Butch settled in St. Louis in 1969, and Ann worked as a Homemaker from that time on. Ann and Butch also enjoyed many happy and adventurous years in Maryland where they relocated in 1991 when Butch accepted a position as a contractor for NASA.
Ann enjoyed any opportunity to square dance with her husband, Butch. Most recently, Ann and Butch were members of Belair Square Cats and Crabtown Squares dance clubs in Maryland. Together, they attended Episcopal and Anglican churches in Missouri and Maryland. She dedicated many hours to volunteer work, including church service, flood relief in Missouri, and hospice care in Maryland. They enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada, including many visits to Alaska and Missouri. Ann loved to visit and had many stories to share. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing and reading.
The family will receive friends Friday, January 8 from 10-11 am at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, Missouri with a funeral service to follow at 11 am. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Ann Laurenson to: Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri – Columbia, c/o Chalyn Elking, S249 School of Nursing, Columbia, MO 65211.