Laurel L. Evans (née Hansen) of Muskego, Wisconsin, passed away at the age of 79 on February 20, 2026, surrounded by her family after an almost two‑year courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on March 4, 1946, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Hans and Mildred (Klug) Hansen. Laurel was a 1964 graduate of Muskego High School. She remained fond of her classmates and kept in touch with many of them throughout the years.

Laurel met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Evans, at Wisconsin Engine in Waukesha, and they married on June 10, 1967. Bob and Laurel built their home in Muskego, where they have lived for more than 50 years. They also took on the project of building a home in Door County, completing it together on weekends over the course of two years in the early 1990s. Together, they built not only homes but a lifetime of family, friendship, and memories.

Laurel was active throughout her life. She led both of her children’s scouting troops. She loved hosting large family gatherings during the holidays and especially enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Laurel took great joy in attending school activities and sporting events for her grandchildren. She spoke often and lovingly of her friends, family and neighbors, never missing a detail in any conversation. Her infectious laugh could brighten any room.

She enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables from her bountiful garden, and making jams and jellies. She loved going to the theater and attending live concerts with Bob and her family, including performances by Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, The Who, Billy Joel, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Roger Waters, and The Rolling Stones.

Laurel loved to travel with family and friends—whether to northern Wisconsin, Alaska, on Caribbean cruises, or by rail out West.

Throughout her career, Laurel held many administrative positions at businesses in the Milwaukee and Waukesha areas and remained close with former co‑workers. She adored her job and the team at the engineering firm Ring & DuChateau, where she worked before retiring in 2010.

Laurel was a kind soul who loved animals and volunteered for many years at the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) in Waukesha. Her beloved cat, Abby—their companion for 19 years—misses her dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Robert Evans; her children, Michael (Tanina) Evans and Michele (Sean) Olson; her grandchildren, Devin (Megan Danes) Olson, Michaela (Nick) Balge, and Roman Evans; and her great‑grandchildren, Willow Olson and Ella Balge. She is further survived by her sister, Gayle (Rich) Pawlak; her nieces and nephews—Ross, Jill, Kristy, Julie, John, Amy, Rob, Matthew, Nicole, and Steffen; and many relatives in Denmark and Italy.

Laurel was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Mildred Hansen; her stepmother, Edel (Vangsgaard) Hansen; her brothers, Glenn (Janet) Hansen and Jerry Hansen; her sisters, Ellen Sprawls and Karen Hansen; and close family friend, Lois Baas.

Laurel’s family would like to thank ProHealth/UW Cancer and the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Center, especially her oncologist Dr. Mark Moskowitz and his team, for their compassionate care throughout her brave fight.

A visitation of remembrance for Laurel will be held from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a service to follow at Hartson Funeral Home, 11111 West Janesville Road, Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Interment will follow the service at Highland Memorial Park, 14875 W. Greenfield Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to HAWS (Humane Animal Welfare Society) or the American Cancer Society.