Laurie Lee LaPointe "walked on" to meet Creator on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, after a three-week hospitalization for heart and kidney failure. A member of the Sicangu Oyate (Rosebud Sioux) tribe, Laurie was born on July 18, 1961, in Denver, Colorado, to Marchmont and Winona (Larvie Twiss) LaPointe. Along with older siblings Richard Twiss, Elaine LaPointe, and Tom LaPointe, the family moved to Oregon in 1962 and Laurie was raised in Silverton. After graduating from Silverton High School in 1979, Laurie started college at what is now Southern Oregon University in Ashland, later transferring to Oregon State University in Corvallis, where she continued to live and work for several years after college. She was later employed by Barenbrug, USA for more than twenty years and had no immediate plans for retirement.

In 2011 Laurie moved back to Silverton to be her mother's companion and caregiver. The two shared a home until Winona's passing in 2020. Laurie was an active member of Oak Street Church in Silverton, where she served in worship and hospitality ministries. She especially enjoyed planning, preparing, and serving the church's monthly Monday Meal, a free supper open to all in the community. Laurie attended powwows whenever possible and gathered with extended family each July at the annual Wiconi International Powwow (Richard Twiss Memorial Powwow). Laurie was fun-loving and generous. She enjoyed music, science fiction, handicrafts, and trying new recipes—especially if it meant providing something delicious and special for family and friends. But most of all, Laurie loved her family. She took great joy in service and generosity to her church family, dear friends, and most of all to her beloved Twiss/LaPointe clan. In the Lakota tradition, there is no word for goodbye. Instead, we say "Toksa ake" (we will see you again later), dear sister, auntie, friend.

Laurie was preceded in death by mother Winona, and older brothers Richard and Tom. She is survived by her sister Elaine and sister-in-law Katherine Twiss, by nieces and nephews Stacey, Melissa, Andrew, Phillip, Ian, Jana, and Daniel , and by great-nieces and great-nephews Mia, Tyler, Zeke, Tatum, Ezra, Leo, Jude, Chaské, Eira, Juniper, Wakiya , and Idris.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Street Church, Silverton, January 14, 2:00 p.m., reception following.