M. Laurie Israels, age 68, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Laurie was born in Syracuse, New York where she lived with her loving mother, father and four younger siblings. She moved to Grand Rapids, MI in 1972 when she met her adoring husband, Jim. She worked as a teacher's aide at Sigsbee School in Grand Rapids and went on to raise a loving family and work side by side with her husband and family in design and management. She put her artistic creativity into everything she did. Her devotion, strength and passionate nature led her to be the best wife, mother, grandmother and friend you could have. Her giving spirit and ability to comfort made everyone she encountered feel special, welcomed and at home. She was an incredible woman whose spirit will live on through her husband of 48 years, James H. Israels; children, Jennifer (Mike) Israels-Hess, James R. (Jacqueline) Israels; grandson, James G. Israels; siblings, William Anthony (Cheryl) Kwiek II, David (Lisa) Kwiek, Richard (Lisa) Kwiek, Ann (Thomas) Lavere; Robert (Paulette) Israels, Joyce DeVries, Pam Medendorp and (David Peck); and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, especially her dear cousin, Patricia Wolak. She is now joyfully reunited with her parents, William and Genevieve Kwiek; her godparents, Theodore and Anne Wolak; her parents-in-law, Ray and Harriett Israels. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 11th at Fifth Reformed Church (2012 Griggs SE, 49506) with Rev. Jon Sherrill officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends immediately following the service. A livestream of the service will be available here: https://youtu.be/1ROPCgy3-lQ A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 PM following the memorial at 5th Street Hall on the second floor (701 5th St NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504). Please consider making a memorial donation to: Kids' Food Basket or W.A.R. international.