Laura A. Funovits

Laura Funovits, 93, of Fargo, died Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Sunnyside Care Center, Lake Park, MN.

Laura A. Alvstad was born December 21, 1919, the daughter of Knute and Amanda (Thompson) Alvstad, in Heimdahl, North Dakota, where she grew up and received her early education. She completed her last two years of high school at Barrett High School, Barrett, Minnesota, graduating in 1937. Following graduation, she enrolled in St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Fargo, North Dakota, graduating in 1942, as a Registered Nurse.

Laura enlisted in the United States Navy Nurse Corp in January of 1943, serving in Navy hospitals in San Diego, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Norfolk, Virginia, until her discharge in December of 1945.

On January 4, 1946, she married Michael J. Funovits of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They lived there for a short time and then returned to Fargo, ND, where she was employed at the Veterans Hospital. She retired in 1978. Her husband, Mike, died July 6, 1992.

Laura was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo. She did volunteer work at MeritCare Hospital, Bethany Homes and New Life Center. She was active in the local and national Ostomy Association for many years.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Cathy) Funovits, Sartell, MN; a daughter, Julie Dahl (Mike Ludwig), Moorhead, MN; four grandchildren, Benjamin (Samantha) Aberdeen, SD and Sam Funovits, Sartell, MN and Brad Dahl, Buffalo, ND and Whitney (Jason) Askleson, Lake Park, MN; great-grandchildren, Jadon and Marlie Asleson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mike; two sisters, Dorothy Ray, Missoula, MT; and Vivian Alvstad, Dallas TX and brother, Al Alvstad, Fargo, ND.