Laura Denise (Haglauer) Pressel

Laura Denise (Haglauer) Pressel, 71, of Lyons, packed her bags and went to Heaven peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023, surrounded by her husband and children. Laura was born in Decatur, Ill. on Groundhog’s Day, February 2, 1952, but there was never “six more weeks of winter” around this warm and sunny lady. She spoiled grandchildren, hugged people she just met, and started phone calls with “Hey, good lookin!” Laura absolutely loved brownies, dancing and anything sparkly, especially purple and sparkly.

Laura always said yes when asked to help, join a group or open a new credit card. Most recently, Laura was involved with the Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church, Linton Tri Kappa and the Senior Bowling Group. However, she made one of her major marks in this world as the favorite teacher, Mrs. File, at L&M and later, WRV schools, teaching first through fourth grades for 33 years. She made learning fun for more than 800 students with experiments, antics and a tarantula.

Laura has many surviving family members who she loved to the moon and back: Her husband, Pastor Rick Pressel, who fell in love with her within minutes and married her within months of meeting; her daughter and son, Diane (Luis) Rodriguez and John (Allison - the favorite) File, whom she believed when they told her the mower didn’t turn left; and benevolent bonus children, Brent, Kim, Aaron, Jen, Susan and John, who became immediate family the moment they walked through the door. She is also survived by her favorite snugglers, her grandchildren Alec, Lilli, Elijah and Abram and many bonus grandchildren; as well as her sisters, Diane Schoneman and Jody Haglauer. Laura was preceded in death by some of her most beloved family: her grandparents, Hans and Pearl Haglauer; her father, John Paul Haglauer; and her sister, Johnie Haglauer.

Laura was the life of the party, and her legacy and faith will be the focus of the Celebration of Life held at 1 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2023 at the Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church, 8th N Lafayette Street in Worthington. Reverend Dr. Aleze Fulbright will officiate. Burial will follow in Summit Lawn Cemetery in Brazil.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home, 23 South Jefferson Street in Worthington. Viewing will be from noon until 1 p.m. on Friday at the Church.

To keep Laura’s legacy alive, please give heaps of hugs and oodles of compliments to all those around you. Additionally, donations in Laura’s name may be made to the Folsom Memorial United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.welchcornett.com.