Laura Ann Wilford

Laura (Laurie) Ann Wilford passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, at the age of 70, under the compassionate care of Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Laurie was born on November 5, 1955 to Charles Richard Wilford and Mary Evelyn McGarrity in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois where she graduated high school in 1976. She later attended Northern Illinois University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics and eventually her master’s degree in nutrition. She insisted she didn’t have too much fun along the way.

Over the course of her life, Laurie built her career as a dietician and retired from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board after 32 years. Highlights of her career included being part of the “Got Milk?” campaign and, of course, retiring.

Laurie’s greatest accomplishments were never the ones that appeared on a resume. They were found in the family she loved, the friendships she cherished, the people she encouraged, the meals (and cookies!) she made, and the countless small ways she touched the lives of those around her.

Laurie married Patrick Michael Taugher on August 26, 1989. Together, they survived raising their two children and a handful of beloved pets, traveled across the world, and eventually retired to their house on Lake Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc.

Laurie described her perfect Sunday as a day on the boat with her family, a cold beer in hand, and Bruce Springsteen (or the Brewers) on the radio. Laurie loved to play cards with her friends and enjoyed her monthly Book Club. She loved decorating her house for Christmas and always had snacks ready for guests, regardless of the occasion. As Springsteen put it, “We take care of our own.” Laurie spent her life doing exactly that. She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend.

Laurie was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Jane Sorensen and Nora Ernst. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Taugher; her son, Kevin Taugher; her daughter, Megan (Tony) Frisbee; her niece and closest friend Judith (Hank) Sorensen-Graef; and countless other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.

A visitation will be held at St. Joan of Arc Parish on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM, with a funeral service starting at 2:30 PM. Following the funeral, a celebration of life will be shared with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, Laurie wished for memorial donations to be made to the Waukesha County Food Pantry, where she volunteered. https://waukeshafoodpantry.networkforgood.com/

Laurie insisted that “it’s okay to be sad,” but she also didn’t want her family to “mope around.” In her honor, we ask you to blast some Bruce Springsteen and eat a piece of chocolate. She may not be here to remind you, but she’d probably tell you to have another piece before you pass the box of chocolates.

Pagenkopf Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 262-567-4457 or visit www.pagenkopf.com.