Wastvedt, Laurene age 92, slipped away gently November 27, at her home in Minnetonka. Laurene was born and grew up in Hawley, MN, the daughter of Erwin P. & Nina Johnson. Growing up in that small town off Highway 10 during the Depression would leave a trove of memories she treasured the rest of her life. It was on the town's skating rink one winter's evening in 1940 that she would literally collide with the one and only love of her life: John Wastvedt. Only a World War and John's death in 2014 would separate them. Together, they settled in Minneapolis where Laurene delighted in creating a warm, welcoming home for her husband and four children. There was no meal, holiday or birthday that escaped her special flare. Somehow she found time to become a nurse practitioner, take art classes, knit and sew Vogue-worthy outfits, play tennis and ski. Laurene's vivacious energy and easy, glowing smile never waned. Well into her 80's she accompanied her best pal, John, on many adventures, often "winging it" with no itinerary on yearly trips to Europe or meandering across the country in John's acrobatic airplane. Never idle, Laurene captured the humble beauty of nature and simple things in her many paintings and hand-dyed hooked rugs. Laurene's heart was broken when her son, Stephen Wastvedt, died in 2008 and again when her husband John died in 2014. She leaves her children Roger Wastvedt of Alicante, Spain; James Wastvedt of Albuquerque, NM; and Sara Wastvedt of Indianola, WA with cherished memories. A special thanks to Loretta D. Brown, Laurene's guardian angel and friend for the past 5 years. Private burial next to John at Ft Snelling. A gathering of friends will be held Friday, December 9th. Call 952-456-6178 for details. Laurene would no doubt appreciate donations to Planned Parenthood or offerings of fresh water and seed to the critters that share our beautiful world.