Laurie L. Poland

Laurette (Laurie) Lynn Poland, age 61, of Elwood, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Laurie was born on August 16, 1963, in Sargent, Nebraska, to Larry and Carol Poland. She grew up in Sargent alongside her sisters Lisa, Cari, and Katrina, and graduated from Sargent High School. She began her college education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, later transferring to Colby Community College in Kansas, where she played both volleyball and basketball. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy and went on to work as a Physical Therapy Assistant—a career that suited her adventurous spirit.

Laurie spent much of her professional life as a contract PTA, which allowed her to travel and live in places from Oregon to North Carolina. She especially loved her time in Albuquerque, NM, and Austin, TX, eventually returning to Central Nebraska where she worked for the last 15 years of her career.

Baptized and raised in the Catholic faith, Laurie maintained her belief in God throughout her life. She had an unshakable love of sports—both as a player and a fan—and especially enjoyed watching her nieces and nephews compete. She was happiest on the water, whether boating, swimming, or water skiing, and spent many cherished years living at Johnson Lake, her “happy place.”

Known for her sense of adventure, stubbornness, and strength, Laurie was the “fun aunt”—always cheering the loudest from the stands, sharing in laughter, and making memories on the lake. In her younger years, she worked summer jobs at a bait and tackle shop at Johnson Lake and with a construction crew helping build the Calamus Dam which fueled her love for the outdoors.

Laurie is survived by her father, Larry Poland; sisters Lisa (Tim) Mannlein, Cari (Ken) Mestl, and Katrina (Mark) Hamilton; nieces and nephews Morgan (John) Metzger, Tessa (John) DeLaet, Michaela (Jarod) Speer, Tyler (Cheyanne) Mestl, Kelcie (Jordan) McBride, Kaleb Hanke, Brent Hanke, Brady (Hailey) Hanke, Josh Hamilton, and Kendall Hamilton; and eleven great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Poland; grandparents Millie and Ernie Poland and Agnes and Steve Gruber; and brother-in-law Michael Hanke.