Laura Lee Conklin, lovingly known as “Lolly,” lived a big and beautiful life. Laura’s parents were Jean Elaine Beatley and Carl Leland Beatley, and she was born on April 26, 1953 in Los Angeles County, Calif. Despite spending most of her life in Oregon, she always thought of herself as a California girl. Laura inherited a kind, loyal, God-fearing, and nature-driven heart from her devoted parents.
She loved spending her childhood climbing trees and catching tadpoles with her lifelong friends, Marilyn and Lindy, and she would always say that her faith in God directly impacted her love and curiosity for his creation.
When Laura was 10 years old her family moved to St. Helens, and she spent most of her childhood at a farmhouse where she and her siblings spent many happy years exploring and enjoying the trees, barns, and beauty of the property.
When the time came to choose a profession, she gravitated towards a natural fit: teaching. Laura attended Oregon College of Education (Western Oregon University) in Monmouth and graduated with a degree in education. While in college, Laura met friends she would later travel the world with, work summers at Bumblebee Cannery in Astoria with, and, in her words, “be weird with.” Laura couldn’t meet a friend without them being a part of her life forever. She would often talk about the importance of having friends that loved and celebrated exactly who you are. And that is the friend that she was.
In the early ‘80s, Laura became a second-grade teacher at John Gumm in St. Helens and it fulfilled her divine capacity to nurture – and she cared about her students and their wellbeing in an indescribable way.
During a Bible study at Yankton Baptist Church in St. Helens, where she was a member, Jerry Conklin heard Laura’s very unique and loud laugh – and, in his words, “needed to know more about her.” Jerry still says that Laura was an answer to his prayers. Shortly after getting to know one another, they were engaged and had their wedding at Yankton Baptist Church. At the time of Laura’s passing, they were only days shy of their 42nd anniversary.
Laura told her children that she wanted to have as many adventures as possible before getting married and starting a family, because once she did, she wanted that to be her whole world and life’s dedication. And it was.
Jerry and Laura moved to Astoria in 1990 with their children, Claire, Anna, and Josh, so that Jerry could become the pastor at Lewis and Clark Bible Church. Soon after that move, they had their youngest, Carissa. Laura used her role as a pastor’s wife to create community and exercise her welcoming nature. Her son recently shared how much he loved hearing her loud, off-key singing – to every song – which made others feel empowered and at ease to come as they are. That kind of acceptance and love sums up exactly who she was, and how she lived her role.
Laura was diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer in January 2017. She spent the last 8 1/2 years fighting an endless battle of pain and discomfort and, throughout that time, maintained the unique ability to show grace and comfort to all that she came across. Laura faced a lot of adversity throughout her life and she always approached it the same way – with a full heart of love and faith in God. She would often say, “Don’t pray for what you want, pray for the wisdom and ability to face whatever comes.”
From high school friends to former colleagues, from close Astoria friends to her Heppner community, from far distances and immediate support at the end, Laura was blessed by people who prayed for her, sang to her, laughed with her, and loved her. On behalf of her family – thank you.
Laura is survived by her husband, Jerry Conklin and their four children, Claire, Anna, Josh, and Carissa. She loved her sons-in-law, Brandon Wedding (Anna’s husband) and Sean Andrasik (Claire’s husband), and her three grandchildren lit up her world until the end: Urijah Wedding, Zebadiah Wedding, and Quinn Andrasik. She continues to live also in her three siblings, Gary Beatley, Craig Beatley, and Cathy Taylor and all of their families.
Memorial services will be held in her most recent hometown (Heppner) and where she spent most of her life (Astoria). Services in Heppner: Saturday, Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Heppner Elks Lodge, 142 N. Main St. Services in Astoria: Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Bible Church, 35082 Seppa Road.
Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Please leave your condolence messages online.
