Lt. Col. Laura E. Furniss

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March 5, 2023

Lt. Col. Laura E. Furniss
Gallatin Composite Squadron
Montana Wing

Laura Ellen Furniss arrived into life in the summer of 1972 and recently celebrated the birthday that marked a half century. She filled up her years with purposeful living and boundless love. We all wish she could have seen many more birthdays. We are truly grateful for each day that we spent with her.

Laura was born August 12, 1972 to Robert and Kathleen Boyce, and was the second of 5 siblings. She grew up in Sidney, Montana with sister Jennifer, and brothers Gerald, and Joel. Baby brother Ben came along a while later. During her high school years, the Boyce family moved south to Montrose, Colorado. Laura finished her schooling, and worked at Walmart. After a number of years the
family returned to Montana; settling into life in Bozeman. Laura was introduced to the Gallatin Valley, where she would spend the rest of her life.

Laura took some classes at Montana State, continued to work at Walmart and spent time with friends and family. She loved to live life with people and made friends wherever she went. She liked to talk and think out loud. She was curious and compassionate and always helping others. One day a friend set Laura up on a date with a guy named Dave. By all recall, that date did not go so well. But a second impromptu date followed, and by chance it happened oLaura Ellen Furnissn Valentines Day. That's a tricky time to not have a reservation, but they ended up eating at a Chinese restaurant in the mall. And that was it; hot mustard and the beginning of a life together. Even Laura's cat named Caramel, who didn't like many people, warmed up to Dave right away.

Laura met Dave and knew quickly that his strong, quiet personality might just be the perfect match to her own outgoing demeanor. And if you need to define "quickly," they were married just eight months after that Valentine's dinner. They married in October of 1999 and everyone attending that fall wedding knew they were witnessing something real. That day entwined the two of them into a pairing that was now in its 24th year.
Laura and Dave were a family on their own, but they knew that they wanted to expand their boundaries. Families are made in many ways, and adoption knitted theirs together from around the world. First came Aleksei and Katiana from Russia. Then Jenalyn joined them from the Philippines. And finally Timothy from Montana became the final cherished member. The Furniss family was a quilt that had been finely pieced together. Laura loved being a mom. She loved her four children completely and fully. She was described as a momma bear, who was fiercely protective of her kids. She was the planner and the organizer of her family, making sure that everything happened when it was supposed to. She and Dave navigated the issues that all parents deal with, and also had to face unique challenges, like language barriers. She made her home a safe place for her family and always filled it with cats and dogs and stuffed animals.

Laura had a strong desire to help others, and became a Doula. A Doula is someone who is employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. She did this for many years, and was on hand, offering help and wisdom as many babies were born. Laura started realizing that there was a need to help families, and specifically those working through the issues that arise from adoption. She felt that she could be part of that support. This was initially just a spark of wonder, but it became reality. Laura worked hard and received a bachelor's degree in psychology. She then earned a Masters in therapy. She had recently been working her way through a PhD program.

She only had a few more classes and a written dissertation, and then we would have all happily called her Dr. Furniss. She put her degrees to work, as a marriage and family counselor and loved the work she did and the people she served. Laura's life was multi-faceted. Another passion was discovered in serving with the Civil
Air Patrol, the volunteer agency that works alongside the Air Force. She became interested after Aleksei and Dave first got involved. Laura had a special desire in helping young cadet's with their development. She was currently a Major in the CAP and was very close to being promoted to Lt. Colonel.

Her family grew up and Laura recently had taken on a new title: Grandma. Dave is a quiet man, but his eyes light up when he says, "She LOVED being a grandma." She loved spending time with her little buddies, Katiana's children: Tatyana, Michaela, Henry and Quinton; hanging out with them and playing. Her two granddaughters called Laura, "Grandma with the cats." A highlight of Laura's life was traveling to Virginia, in
December to be there when Aleksei and wife Christine held a ceremony celebrating their first year of marriage. Laura truly loved the time she got to spend with daughter Jenalyn. And Timothy was her baby, even though he didn't like the idea that a teenager could be thought of as a baby. She loved the time she and Timothy had in the morning; each of them doing their own schoolwork, but being together. She and Dave had opened their hearts and their lives to their family and it had proven that even though love and life aren't always easy, they are always worth it.

Laura was a person of faith. Hers was a quiet faith, but one with deep roots. Her recent sickness did not diminish that. She died on February 8, 2023. She fought hard and she wanted more than anything to be here longer. She wanted to see her children's lives move forward and to enjoy her role as grandma. And she wanted to grow old with Dave. We don't always understand why the things we want don't become reality. But Laura believed that the Christ she trusted would hold her beloved family in His hands. And that His promise of life everlasting would prove true for her. We know that in this moment of deepest loss, we are comforted by the real hope of eternity.

Laura and Dave celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2019, with a Vow Renewal Ceremony. They had come a long way, since that first Valentine's date at the mall. They once again spoke aloud the vows they had made years before; vows they had kept and would keep as life moved forward. Different colors of layered sand were poured into a glass jar that day, symbolizing each member of the family, joined together into a kaleidoscope of love. And love marked the life of Laura Ellen Furniss.

Laura was preceded in death by her mother Kathleen. She is survived by her father Robert and wife Marganne. Siblings: Gerald, Jennifer, Joel and Ben. Step sisters Ruth and Lyneine. Husband Dave Furniss and children: Jenalyn Funiss, Aleksei (Christine) Quejada, Katianna Politova, and Timothy Furniss. Grandchildren: Tatyana, Michaela, Henry and Quinton Harrell. In laws: Rita Ward, and Arlo Furniss. Sister in law, Sheila Lake. She also left behind many, many dear friends, and some of them were cats.