Laurel Lee Haverkate

Laurel Lee Haverkate, 76, of Dolores, CO passed away unexpectedly at home on February 22nd, 2023. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by her sudden passing.

She was born on October 19th,1946, in Portland, Oregon to Victor Nathan and Bertha (Lynch) Sundquist.

Laurel Lee is survived by her loving husband Johannes Haverkate, her father Victor Sundquist and her children Beth Richardson (Denny Bertrand) of Cortez Colorado, Jack Minor (Danielle) of Grand Junction, Colorado and Jesse Minor (Shandra) of Dolores, Colorado; her sister Anita Long of Marble, Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as well as her extended family in Exmouth, Australia. She was preceded in death by her mother Bertha Sundquist and brother Vic Sundquist.

Laurel Lee loved well and was well loved by so many. She was a woman strong in her faith and had such a giving heart.

Family and friends were so important to her. She spent as much time with them all that she could making memories through laughter and tears.

She loved to tell stories of her adventures in Australia, or the time spent on the warm beaches there. She lived there most of the time the past 14 years with her husband John.

The times she came home to visit were treasured by us all. While she was home, she loved to spoil her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The smiles she carried while doing so, whether they were ornery, or innocent will stay with us always.

Being with her father, Victor was something else that brought such a smile to her face. She enjoyed drives in the mountains with him reliving memories made with the family during her younger years at log camps or their hunting adventures over the years.

Logging was a way of life for her family. The stories told of how her and her siblings would help or sometimes hinder their parents always brought a smile to her face and her little giggle to follow. They worked alongside friends that would later become more like family to them all.

She lived a full, beautiful life and will be missed by many.

A cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place in the spring.