Laurel G. Caruthers, daughter of WM. Joseph Gardner and Velna Gracias (Clark) Gardner, died on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Spooner Hospital.

She was born on September 11, 1923, at home in Spooner. She graduated from Spooner High School with the class of 1941. For a short while she worked for Dr. J.D. Eastwood, DMV. She then took a civil service exam and was offered a was service appointment to the Department of State. She reported for duty in Washington D.C. on August 9, 1942, and remained at the Department of State until she retired in 1974. She returned to Spooner to live in 1982.

She is survived by daughter-in-law, Candace (Barnes) Caruthers; grandchildren, Thomas Gardner Caruthers (her caregiver), Arthur Sheldon Caruthers, and Christine Rosalind Caruthers; great-granddaughter, Brianna Haley Caruthers; several cousins; and dear friends, the Ray Majeski Family.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers, Homer and Donald; stepmother, Dorothy A. Gardner; maternal grandparents, Orville S. and Anna (Bradford) Clark; paternal grandparents, William J. and Lucy (Phelps) Gardner, both grandparents were pioneer settlers in Chicog Township. She was also preceded in death by her son, Leo Thomas Caruthers III, and former husband Leo Thomas Caruthers Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Spooner United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM with a visitation one hour prior.

Last Update: Mar 31, 2024 2:59 pm CDT