Laura A. Kirgegaard, 86, of Trent died Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Terrace Manor in Dell Rapids. She was born August 26, 1923 in Moody County, SD to Herman and Elizabeth (Husman) Eilers, the 14th of 15 children. She attended country school and graduated from Chester High School in 1941. She received her one year teaching certificate from Madison Normal and then started teaching at Quissell Country School. Laura married Orville Kirkegaard at St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester on August 17, 1948. They moved to Trent in 1959. Laura continued her education until receiving her BS degree from Dakota State College, Madison. She taught a total of 43 years, teaching her last 22 years in the Jasper Public Schools, retiring in 1988. Her husband preceded her in death on June 16, 1997. She became a resident of Terrace Manor in 2009. Laura was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, WELCA, Trent American Legion Auxiliary, the Minnesota Teachers Association and a charter member of the Trent Study Club. She loved Twins baseball and to garden.

Laura is survived by four children, Morris (Debra) Kirkegaard, Trent, Lola (Douglas) Kleinschmit, Wall, Sally (Greg) Wiggins, Monument, CO, Don (Lois) Kirkegaard, Britton; six grandchildren, Autumn, Nathan, Amanda, Angela, Ashley, Mathew; two great-grandchildren, Cara and Desmond; twin sisters, Velda Brandt, Rapid City and Verlan Ferrara, Spring Hill, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and 12 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Wednesday at Messiah Lutheran Church, rural Trent, with burial in Bethania Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5:00 pm Tuesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a 7:00 pm prayer service. Memorials to Messiah Lutheran Church.