Lauretta Jo (Lane) McNeil

Lauretta Jo McNeil (Lane), age 70, of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

A visitation honoring Lauretta will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 S Marschall Road, Shakopee. An additional visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne, (Church of St. Mary) 535 Lewis Street, Shakopee.

Lauretta was born on March 4, 1955, in Shakopee, Minnesota, where she grew up with her three sisters: Diane, Barbara "Barbie", and Joanie. She graduated from Shakopee High School in 1973 and later trained as a beautician. Though she briefly pursued that career path, her true calling was as a homemaker, mother, and later a loving grandmother.

Lauretta married Douglas McNeil on September 16, 1988, just two months after meeting him at the Happy Chef in Shakopee. They were married in the home of her parents, Harry and Gladys Lane, by a justice of the peace. Together, Lauretta and Doug built a life together where they shared a mutual love of dancing, auctions, and antiquing.

Raising her four children, Justin, Eimile, Andrew, and Harry, was Lauretta's proudest achievement. She found immense joy in her role as grandmother to 11 grandchildren. She made every effort to be there for each of them, from school and sporting events to just being a comforting presence when they needed her.

Lauretta had a special love for Christmas, a time of year she celebrated with extra joy and care in honor of her mother, who passed away on Christmas Eve Day in 1988. Each year, she continued a cherished tradition of hiring a Santa to attend the family Christmas Eve party, making the holiday magical for her children and grandchildren.

She was a woman of strong values and deep patriotism, proud of her father Harry’s Navy service, her sons Justin and Andrew’s service in the Navy and Army respectively, and her grandson Levi’s service as a U.S. Marine.

A true extrovert, Lauretta loved socializing with friends over coffee or dinner. She had a great sense of humor, an unmistakable personality, and a vibrant energy that filled every room she entered. She enjoyed reading vampire and science fiction novels, watching the Sci-Fi Channel and old black-and-white films, and engaging with her community through her involvement with the Legion of Mary.

Lauretta lived her life with passion and humor. Anyone who knew her will remember her signature wit, including one of her favorite lines: “I cook from scratch. I scratch my backside then read the box.”

Lauretta is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Gladys (O’Laughlin) Lane; her sister, Diane Henning; brother-in-law Steve Henning; brother-in-law Paul Westveer; and nephews Jimmy Joe and Dean Westveer.

She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Douglas McNeil; her children, Justin Lane (Vanessa), Eimile Kerber (Adam), Andrew McNeil (Audrianna), and Harry McNeil (Alli); her beloved grandchildren Levi, Carson, Vivien, Livia, Rose, Sophia, Noah, Opal, Marvin, Conor, and Davina; her sisters, Barbara Westveer and Joanie Lane; and many extended family members and friends who were blessed to know her.

Lauretta’s vibrant spirit, love of family, and unshakable sense of humor will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.