Laura Lee Routson

LAURA LEE (WAADT) ROUTSON, age 79, Milwaukie Oregon Passed away on 8-16-2023 following short illness. Born Sept. 23, 1943, to Frances R. & Robert F. Waadt in Inglewood Calif. Laura was the first of 3 daughters and a son. She grew up in southern California and relocated to Reno Nevada in 1970. In 1978, she moved to Seattle Washington, and then over to Coeur’ d’Alene Idaho, returning to Reno in 1985 where she started her career at Raleys Grocery Store, in the Bakery Dept, and as Clerk for 27 years, retiring in 2012. She is survived by her sisters: Lana and her husband Lonnie Stapel, and Carol and her husband Frank Marquez and her brother Bob and his wife Mindy Waadt. Together they had 11 children and were blessed with many great nieces and nephews. Laura is additionally survived by her cousins, Marilyn and Don Baham, Debbie and John Brincko, Janet & Joe Heiserman, Alexis and Hillary Waadt, and her second husband Lee’s sister Carol Tadlock. Laura is also survived by her children and their spouses: Cindy and Mark Hanks, Joe and Shelly Todaro, Louie and Valerie Todaro, and grandchildren & spouses: Michael and Kallie Todaro, Ryan Todaro and Kandis Love, Jackson Todaro, and David Hanks. Her great grandchildren: Tristen, Kaden, Paisley Laura married Joseph R. Todaro Sr. in 1961, and had her 3 children in Los Angeles Calif. They relocated to Reno Nevada in 1970. She then married Leland L. Routson in 1973, and they were together 39 years. Laura was preceded in death by Lee, in 2012. They were very close; through thick and thin. Lee was the Love of her Life, and his loss was very hard for Laura. Laura loved the ocean, walks in the woods, and hiking along rivers and trails. She even went camping in yurts with her daughter and grandsons, at the beach relishing the outdoors. Agate and seashell hunting, on the beach with friends was a favorite past time. Once she was widowed and retired, she moved to Oregon, she joined the East Side Athletic Club, and tried to stay healthy, she really enjoyed the water aerobics, and the chair yoga classes. After trying the other senior centers, she found her “friends” at the Gladstone Senior Center. She had the most wonderful friends there, whom she ate lunch with, played many different games with, went on field trips to movies, and plays, and museums, fairs and the like. When asked where the next trip was, she never knew where they were going, she just went for the fun of being with her friends. Special highlights were trips to the beach with Michelle and Rex and Char, and the fishing trips, because Rex would clean and cook the fish and it was so delicious. These precious friends added so much love and joy to her life. Their support in Laura’s the final chapter was tremendous, and consistent, and was so important to her. Celebration of Laura’s 80th birthday, will be held on Saturday 9/23/2023, under the picnic canopy at Clackamette Park, from 4 to 6pm.

Laura Lee Routson

September 23, 1943 - August 16, 2023