Laura Leigh Filstrup

Laura Leigh (Lauren) Filstrup was born in Saint Louis, Missouri on May 12, 1969, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hogenson Filstrup. Her grandparents were Dr. and Mrs. William F. (Margaret) McGinnis and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin W. (Elaine) Filstrup. She passed away at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas in early May.

Lauren lived a blessed and active life. She graduated from Tulsa Memorial High School with a class ranking of 12 out of 407 and a GPA of 3.97. A National Honor Society member both Junior and Senior years, she was a member of Gamma Sigma, the Senior Girl's Honor Society. Lauren was Student Council Representative-3 years, Class Board Representative-3 years, Pep Club Representative-3 years, and Key Club-2 years.

Junior Achievement became a priority for her and she served as Vice President of Marketing-2 years and President-2 years of her JA Company. Her accomplishments included being recognized as a Finalist for President of the Year in 1986 and 1987 and Finalist for Vice President Marketing of the Year for 1984, 1985, and 1986. Other honors included Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Leadership Conference, Rotary International Camp Enterprise Leadership Conference, Oklahoma Girl's State, and Northwestern University National High School Institute-Journalism Division.

Lauren was also a 2 year member of the Sanger Harris Teen Board, a Heart Ball Sweetheart, a Tulsa Philharmonic Symphony Set 2 year member, and an Opera Ball Debutante. Lauren entered Northwestern University and majored in Industrial Engineering with emphasis on organizational development and management. She was a member of Wildcat Council, a Library Assistant, the 1988 Homecoming Committee, and the 1989 Alumni Reunion Committee. During her career life Lauren advanced her skills in marketing, marketing research, and innovation through conferences at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Lauren joined the Talbot's Company where she quickly rose through the management ranks. An opportunity to join a dynamic e-commerce start-up company, Starbelly.com in Chicago, as a Senior Merchandise Manager was a welcome challenge. Lauren was instrumental in broadening the product line into more luxury items. She excelled in securing hard to locate and exclusive items to appeal to the Corporate customized market. When the company was sold to Ha-Lo for a large premium, she returned to Talbot's as a Store Manager.

Lauren was promoted to run the Flagship Talbot's Downtown Chicago Michigan Avenue store. In a short three year span, the Michigan Avenue store went from one of the lowest performing stores to the best. Under her leadership, the Michigan Avenue store received the honor as the best store in Talbot's and Lauren received the Store Manager of the Year at the company-wide annual meeting in Boston.

Lauren frequently traveled around Europe and North America. Her favorite destinations included Paris, London, Denmark, Hawaii, and Newport Beach. She was especially close to her Grandmother, Elaine Hogenson Filstrup, and loved planning special occasions that they could share such as birthdays, including her grandmother's 99th, as well as trips to Europe, Hawaii and Southern California. Lauren will be fondly remembered and honored for her incredible generosity in thinking of and helping others before caring for herself. Her sincerity, her positive attitude, and her always up to date knowledge and interest in the newest and best in merchandizing and technology will be forever missed.

Lauren is survived by her loving parents, Scott and Margee Filstrup, and her brother Scott Douglas Filstrup (Hillary) and his daughter Willow Lynn; Her uncles, Alvin W. (Dale) Filstrup and son Mark (Patty) Filstrup and their daughter Isabela; W. Patrick McGinnis and his sons Patrick and David; and Michael G. (Cheryl) McGinnis and their daughter Megan Grace. Lauren and her family are most grateful to Colleen Sue Coffman her caregiver and friend.

Donations in lieu of flowers are suggested to Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, Tulsa Opera, or Northwestern University.

A private funeral service was held at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Private interment will be in Forest Park, Illinois.