Laura Drives

Laura Lee Drives, 85, a long-time resident of Shorewood Hills, WI passed away on May. 25, 2018 at the Attic Angel Community.

Laura Lee Lane was born on December 18, 1932 in Madison, WI, where she shared nursery space at the hospital with her future husband Houghton Drives who was born two days earlier. As the years passed, Laura Lee and Houghtie kept crossing paths: playing viola in their respective neighborhood quartets at age 10 and as fellow West Regents. They both loved horses and Laura Lee was so happy to start working so she could buy her first horse, Sir Prance- a -Lot, a five-gaited Saddlebred. She never lost her love of horses and dogs.

Laura Lee and Houghtie married on Oct. 19th, 1957 at her family home on Lake Mendota. The years living on Lake Mendota Drive were filled with joy, including hosting grand parties catered by Rosetta and written up with flourish by Louise Marston. She loved it when her son David had friends over to enjoy the lake and waterskiing. Her love of being on the water included planning annual family vacations with the grandchildren at Elkhart Lake, which were filled with fun and laugher, especially while enjoying the strong daiquiris she mixed up before dinner. While she didn't fly, that did not stop her from traveling, including yearly mother/daughter steamboat trips on the Mississippi River.

When Shorewood Hills needed a crossing guard, Laura Lee offered to fill in for a year while they looked for a permanent guard, she realized after 28 years, they might not be looking too hard to replace her. With her zest for life, she ensured that her children had magical childhoods including starting many family traditions, since as Christmas cookie decorating. She took great joy in her grandchildren and never missed a swim meet. She would arrive early at the meets to ensure she had the best view of their swimming. Laura Lee was always humming, singing and spreading good humor.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Attic Angel Health Center and Agrace for the loving and special care given to Laura Lee.

She is preceded in death by her husband Houghton, mother, Laura Lane, and brother in laws, John Drives and William Seeman.

She is survived her children, David Drives (Diane), Madison, WI; LeAnne Drives, Cedarburg, WI., her grandchildren Nicole Drives (Nick Bennett) and Michael Drives, Madison, WI; great granddaughter Anabelle Bennett, her sister Carol Ann Seeman, Knoxville, TN, her sister in law, Sharon Drives, Lake Havasu City, AZ, nieces and nephews.

The family is planning a celebration of her life on July 1, 2018 at the Attic Angel's Community Room. Visitation with the family from 2 p.m. until the service at 3 p.m. followed by a reception with Laura Lee's favorite chocolate desserts and live jazz music.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Three Gaits, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Madison Mounted Police Patrol (she loved seeing the police horses when they visited Attic Angel) or an organization of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434