Obit: Sacho, Laurie J. (1954 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Breneman, Case, Davison, Marshall, Meyer, Sacho, Shin, Teed

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 3/26/2015

Sacho, Laurie J. (Davison) Meyer (10 MAR 1954 - 23 MAR 2015)

Laurie J. Sacho, 61, died on Monday, March 23 at Serenity House in Tomah, where she had resided the past 1-1/2 years, while under the care of her family and Hope Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27 at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Medford, with Rev. Kyochul Shin and Rev. Irv Case officiating. Interment will be at Forest Cemetery in the town of Forest, Vernon County, at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. Pallbearers will be Anthony Meyer, Mark, Dennis, Matthew and Keith Davison, Bill Breneman and Terry Teed.

Visitation will be held at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford on Thursday, March 26 from 4 to 7 p.m., at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service, and at Burr Wesleyan Church, S1728 County Road V, Hillsboro, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28.

The former Laurie Davison was born on March 10, 1954 to Keith Davison and Marjorie (Marshall) Davison at Plum City, Pierce County.

Her first marriage to Fred Meyer, took place in Frederic in 1975. They later divorced.
Her marriage to Roland Sacho took place in Medford in 2000. He preceded her in death in 2004.
She graduated from Central High School in La Crosse in 1972. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications and a minor in photography.

After graduation from college, she started employment as a reporter/photographer with The Star News in Medford in 1987. She was promoted to associate editor two years later, and in 1999 was named editor of the weekly newspaper publication. During her 18 years at The Star News, she earned many local, state and national journalism awards for her work as she strove to cover life, schools and government in the communities within Taylor County to the best of her ability. She had a special interest in supporting the unique talents, achievements and "good deed" efforts of countless citizens in the area as they reached out to neighbors or children in need.

In 2005, she joined Hope Hospice and Palliative Care as the manager of volunteer and bereavement services, serving Taylor County and surrounding areas. She became nationally certified in thanatology - death, dying and bereavement education. Her life was greatly enhanced by the example and outlook of her co-workers, volunteers and families in the program. She left employment at Hope Hospice in 2008 due to ill health.

Laurie Sacho was a former member of Medford United Methodist Church serving terms as youth leader, Sunday school teacher, choir member, council chairman and secretary, staff/parish relations committee chairman and lay member to the annual conference. She was a member of the church council for many years, and became a certified lay speaker. She also held positions of leadership for the Wisconsin United Methodist Conference Volunteers in the mission program and Lay Ministry Academy.

Sacho was a past president of Medford Kiwanis Club, elected Kiwanian of the Year and received the local Kiwanis Service Award. She was a past Distinguished Lieutenant Governor for the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis District, and was named a Kiwanis International George F. Hixson Fellow.

She was active in the Medford Reads program, serving as a charter steering committee member and as a reading mentor for several elementary children in the program. She was honored with the national U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award in 2009 for her work with that program.
During her time in Medford, she was one of the founding members of the Taylor County Volunteer Recognition Council. She was also past president of the Medford Area Performing Arts Association, the Medford Business and Professional Women's organization, and United Way of Taylor County. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include one son, Anthony Meyer of Chippewa Falls; a grandson, Michael Meyer; two brothers, Dennis Davison of Fall River and Mark Davison of Hillsboro; parents, Keith Davison of Sparta and Marjorie Davison of La Crosse; nieces, Corina (Erik) Anderson, La Rue Davison and Katrina Davison; nephews, Matthew (BJ) Davison and Keith (Jacqui) Davison; and their children.

In addition to her husband Rolly, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; one sister, Ann; and grandparents, Sylvia and Hallie Marshall and Mae and Laurence Davison.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, Medford; Medford Kiwanis Club youth projects; Medford United Methodist Church; American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Marshfield; or Serenity House in Tomah.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.