Laura Lynne Edwards Waterhouse

Funeral services for Laura Lynne Edwards-Waterhouse will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at New Life Wesleyan Church with Kenna Lou Rose officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, July 2, 2012 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.Laura Lynne Edwards-Waterhouse, age 56, of southern Campbell County, Wyoming died on Thursday June 28, 2012, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with cancer. Laura was born on May 25, 1956 in Gillette, Wyoming, the daughter of Guy "Bud" and Ruth (Percifield) Edwards. The family homesteaded south of Gillette. Laura attended Alcott school in southern Campbell County and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1975. On April 16, 1981, Laura married Joseph Waterhouse and they made their home just down the road from Laura's parents. Laura was a steward of the land and lived each day to the fullest, always stopping to admire its beauty and to smell the flowers. Laura loved her stepson, Joey Waterhouse, and her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. Her pets meant everything to her, especially her dog Phoebe, who never left her side. Dusty, Jackie, Sammy and Maxie, her beloved dogs, loved Laura and Laura loved them back as if they were her kids. Laura was the first to take in any stray animal that came her way. She loved her horses and participated in the National High School Rodeo Finals in cutting. She continued her cutting as an adult and became a member of the Wyoming and American Cutting Horse Associations. Laura was a free spirit and loved painting and drawing and gave many of her works to her family and friends. She loved the beach and trips to Florida to see Joe's family. In the last couple of years, Laura fulfilled her dream of scuba diving. Laura loved sunsets and always told others to take a "picture of that sunset in your head and we'll paint it later." Laura loved collecting arrowheads and always had the stereo turned up to some of her favorite mix of music like James Taylor, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Meatloaf, Michael Bolton, the Beatles, it was all great music to her! She danced like no one was watching and was always up for an adventure. She loved her friends, many of them she has known since she was a small girl. Laura's smile and laughter lit up a room. She always believed she was going to beat cancer and her positive outlook carried her. She was described as a "miracle" by her doctors, as she constantly defied the odds for nine and a half years. Laura was strong to the end just like her dad, and we knew no matter what life threw her way, she wasn't going to complain. Laura loved picnics in the timber, visiting with her neighbors and friends, and her morning coffee. Although, not a gourmet cook by any stretch of the imagination, Laura's orange jello salad and grape salad, were always a hit during the holidays. Laura will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Laura is survived by her husband, Joe; mother, Ruth Edwards; siblings Ted (Renae) Edwards; Dave (Eva) Edwards; Linda Edwards; Terria (Mike) Stone; Richard (Debbie) Edwards, all of Gillette; her stepson, Joey Waterhouse; 12 nieces and nephews and 16 great nieces and nephews: Buzz Edwards, Clay & Carlee; Jeani Stone; Becky (Brent) Tennant, Courtney and Davis; Toby (Jamie) Stone, Hawkins; Tommy (Jody) Edwards, Blake, Will and Hardy; Justin (Heather) Edwards, Kodi, Jozi and Reo; Kelly Stone, Colton; Ginger (Will) LaDuke, Tel; Guy Edwards, Tucker and Rochelle; Kean Edwards; Amanda Edwards, Aiden; and Heidi Edwards.Shewas preceded in death by her father, Guy "Bud" Edwards and two siblings, Gary Lee and an infant girl. In lieu of flowers, memorials and condolences may be sent in Laura's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com. Memorials will be forwarded to the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Cancer Unit in Laura's name.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716