Barbara C. DesLaurier, age 84 of Hancock, MI and formerly of L’Anse, MI passed away
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Canal View Houghton County Skilled Nursing Facility, Hancock.
She was born in Detroit, MI on February 10, 1942 the daughter of the late William and Signe
(Rinta) (Nakkula) Thompson. Barbara graduated from High School of Commerce Business
School in Detroit in 1960 and went to work as a computer operator at GM.
On November 10, 1962, Barbara married James “Jim” Mars; he passed away on January 28,
- She married Walter DesLaurier, Jr. on July 3, 2004; he passed away on January 1, 2008.
Barbara moved to the UP in 1971 and worked various jobs during her time here. She then moved
to lower Michigan where she worked as a scrub tech at St Joseph’s hospital for a short time. She
moved back to the UP where she worked as a CNA at Winklers Nursing Home and Houghton
County Medical Care Facility until her retirement.
Barbara was a Girl Scout Leader and a 4-H leader. She was a member of United Lutheran
Church where she was active with the Women of the Church and attending Bible study. She was
a member of the Aura Hospital Auxiliary. She always attended her children’s, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren’s events and loved to go camping and traveling across the United States and
abroad with her family.
Barbara is survived by daughter Lisa (Jerry) DesLaurier of Aura, son David (Birgit) Mars of
L’Anse, Christa Mars of Flomaton, AL, son Michael (Candi) Mars of Oak Creek, WI, step
daughter Mary Chenoweth of Aura, grandchildren Kim (Dan) Erva, Ryan (Lauren) DesLaurier,
Stephanie DesLaurier (Glenn Ayotte), Jonathon DesLaurier (Dominique Aleo), James Mars II,
Sarah (Kyle) Maki, Jeffrey (T’Asha) Mars, Devan (Dan) Kwasny, step grandchildren Rob
Chenoweth, Kerry Giddings (Andrew Elenich), great grandchildren Ashley Giddings (Nate
Washburn), Brian (Taylor), Madison, Allyson (Isaiah), Miles, Aria, Kinsleigh, Jameson, and one
on the way. A sister, Kathleen Lukas, sisters in law Lorraine Niemi, Judy Mrozowski, brother-in-
law Bruce Mars, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, her husband Walt, her sisters and
brothers in law, Beatrice (Oswald) Harju, and Marjorie (Edward) Majeski, Horst Lukas, son-in-
law Robert “Rusty” Cook, and her nephews and niece Ricky (Karen) Harju and Mark Niemi.
Funeral Services for Barbara will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at United Lutheran
Church, L’Anse with Pastor Julie Belew officiating. The family will greet friends at the church
on Tuesday from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Immediately following the
services, the family invites friends to join the for fellowship and a luncheon in the church hall.
Interment will take place in the Aura Cemetery.
Barbara’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at
www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com.
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
