Laura Jean Strand Ogata was born in Sidney, MT, on June 20, 1949, to Archie and Bernie Strand. Laura grew up on a farm with five siblings and attended a one-room country school. After graduating from high school, Laura earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education (English/Speech/Drama) from Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings) in 1971, and became a high school English teacher.

On June 5, 1976, Laura married a petroleum engineer, Robert (Bob) Ogata, and lived in Powell, WY, for seven years. They then moved to Cody, WY, for eight years. In 1991, they changed careers to open and operate their own Signs Now franchise for twenty-two years in Kennewick, WA. They retired in 2013.

Highlights of Laura’s life were being married to Bob for over forty years, giving birth to and raising three children, traveling around the United States, camping near Yellowstone National Park, building her and Bob’s business and commercial building, riding a hot air balloon, and going on an Alaskan cruise. Interests were reading, writing, participating in Stephen Ministry and other church activities, attending family reunions, and living her Christian faith. Her favorite activity was spending time with family and friends.

Laura died at home in Kennewick, WA, surrounded by family at age 73 on January 13, 2023, from cancer. She was a loving wife, doting mother and grandmother, and steadfast friend and sister who will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Laura’s parents died in 1992; and her beloved husband passed away in 2017 from cancer. Laura’s oldest brother, Terry, died in 2022. Laura is survived by her three children: Kari (Neal) Barnhart and Neal’s son (Justin) in Richland, WA; Brianne (Kostas) Petritis and their children (Eva, Nikolaos) in Atlanta, GA; and Matthew Ogata in Kennewick, WA. Also surviving Laura are numerous nieces, nephews, two aunts, one uncle, dozens of cousins, and her four siblings: Linda (Lee) Howard in Hysham, MT; David (Judy) Strand in Great Falls, MT; Adele Nemitz in Cody, WY; Douglas Strand in Billings, MT.

The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who treated and cared for Laura following her cancer diagnosis in 2021. In particular, the following individuals made a significant impact in Laura’s life through their comforting expertise: Dr. Juan Mejia at Providence Sacred Heart Memorial Center (Spokane, WA), Michelle Froh at Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center (Kennewick, WA), Dr. Brandon Smaglo at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX), Dr. Mehmet Akce at Emory Winship Cancer Institute (Atlanta, GA), and Kathy at Chaplaincy Hospice Care (Richland, WA).

A memorial service for Laura Ogata will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Einan’s at Sunset with Chaplain Timothy J. Ledbetter officiating.