Memorial services for 53-year old Laurie Reutner will be held in the Spring when the wildflowers she loved are in bloom at the little mountain Morrison Cemetery in Morrison, CO, where many of Laurie’s family members are waiting in eternal rest including her Father, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, and a Great-Great-Grandparent.
Memorials may be given to the Panhandle Humane Society (126 S. Beltline Highway Scottsbluff, NE 69361) or the Endless Pawsbilities Foundation, PO Box 1504 Carlin, NV, 89822.
Laurie Elaine Baker Reutner was born in Denver, Colorado to Thomas and Juanita (Guinn) Baker on Feb 15, 1970, and passed away Jan 28, 2024, in Elko, NV.
Laurie grew up around horses, teething on the tie strings of her father’s saddle as they rode together on his big horse Buster. Every weekend was an adventure for the family, a new place to ride their horses and camp in the Colorado Rockies.
After moving to the little family farm on the prairie of Minatare, NE, Laurie would relish learning the basics of life with each new task. She learned to appreciate the Nebraska soil and irrigation, raising grass hay and alfalfa to feed their 100 mother cows.
Her father taught her the mechanics of the farm and her mother shared her love of animals, helping create in Laurie the realization every animal needs compassion and care.
Juanita also shared her knowledge of horses to help Laurie develop into an excellent horsewoman and admirable competitor.
Laurie began her educational career in the Minatare school system, where she was involved in many activities. She played percussion instruments and participated in all sports.
Laurie loved being on the speech team and was named the Outstanding Mock Trial student for the 37th Judicial District, an honor bestowed by the judges and lawyers.
Laurie attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference and Nebraska Girls State in Lincoln. She implemented the first Safe Prom Night for Minatare High School and was asked to speak at the National Safety Council’s annual meeting in Oregon about her experience.
Laurie graduated from high school in 1988 and then received an Agriculture Associates Degree from Chadron State College and a Nutritional Bachelor Degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
She was a ten-year member of the Bit & Spur 4-H club and helped implement the Camp Scott horse show and picnic for handicapped children. In 1992, Laurie won the Miss Rodeo Nebraska title and traveled thousands of miles representing rodeo and the state of Nebraska.
Laurie served as an International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE) representative to Taiwan, serving on the Council of Agriculture for six months. While there, she learned to speak Mandarin Chinese and rode a bicycle throughout the island while staying with almost 30 different Taiwanese families.
In 2000, Laurie followed her banking career with a promotion and moved to Twin Falls, ID. On Dec 18, 2009, she married her best friend, Scott Reutner, and they lived in Elko, NV where they enjoyed many recreational activities and travel adventures together. Laurie retired from investment banking with U-S Bank in 2021 after a long career in the banking world.
Laurie was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Barrel Racing Association, the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Idaho. She was also a driving force behind construction of a dog park in Elko.
Laurie is survived by her loving husband Scott Reutner, Elko, NV; Mother Juanita Baker of Minatare; sister Valerie Baker and husband Clifford Brabson of Minatare; sister-in-law Stephanie Reutner of Elko; niece Mattie Suver (Curtis) and grand-nieces Laina and Gabe Suver of Idaho; nephew Chase Bridgmon of Wyoming; Uncle and Aunt Gary and Barbara Carney in Paul, ID; and many grand- and great-grand-cousins.
She is also survived by her beloved dogs Gretel and Hondo, horses Hatter and Stormy, and all the stray cats and kittens her heart could find.
Laurie was preceded in death by her father Thomas Baker, grandparents Frank and Helen Baker and Samuel and Bonnie Guinn; In-Laws Mary Lou and Richard Reutner; brother-in-law Bruce Reutner; Aunt Carol Wescott, Uncle Samuel Guinn; and Uncle Stanley Baker.
THE SIGHT OF THE OCEAN
I have lied in the sight of the ocean
Where the water runs into the land
I have walked on the beach in the morning
And left my footprints in the sand
But musical waves have been calling
And the ocean is so wide and vast
That I’ve struck for the silver horizon
And put out to sea at last
STANDING ON THE SHORE
I am standing on the seashore, a ship sails in the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till at last she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says,
“She is gone”.
Gone! Where?
Gone from my sight-that is all