Laura Dressel Obituary, Death – We mourn the departure of Laura Ann Dressel (née Farmer) on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Calgary, AB, at 78 years old. Valburga Chudomelka and Frank Farmer, who met at a World War II bomber production, had Laura Ann Dressel in Akron, Ohio. Val, Laura, and Mike returned to North Bend, Nebraska, Val’s hometown, after Frank’s death. Val married Victor Pabian and they lived on the family farm, where Laura gained three sisters Pat, Vicki, and Roz and two brothers Don and Tom.
Laura attended North Bend High School in 1963 after attending a one-room schoolhouse near the farm. After graduating from St. Elizabeth’s Nursing School in Lincoln, she became a Professional Registered Nurse on June 9, 1969. Laura loved nursing, and she touched countless lives by caring for patients and educating new nurses. Laura valued education and supported others’ learning.
Laura joined the Air Force in Florida and was stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where she met Airman First Class Joseph Skierka. They married February 17, 1968. In August 1971, the couple moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with their oldest daughter Linda, then to the Skierka family property in Lundbreck, Alberta, where they had two additional daughters, Katherine and Jennifer. After moving to Claresholm, Alberta, they moved the family to Creston, BC, where Joe died in 1980.
Laura worked in her favorite department, maternity, at Creston Valley Hospital for many years, earning her reputation as a baby whisperer. Laura was a longtime RNABC steward who became Vice President. She loves traveling and meeting great BC nurses. After a long courtship, Laura married Roderic Dressel at Redeemer Lutheran Church on October 8, 1994, adding two more daughters, Cathy and Deb, and three more sons, Doug, Darrin, and Rob. Laura and Rod traveled across Canada and the US to see family and friends and experience new things. They created houses, gardens, and airplanes.
