Lauren Ann Bourk (Lori), age 74, passed away peacefully at her home on July 12, 2023. A Memorial Celebration of Lori’s life will be held outdoors at 10:00am at 112 E. Stella Ave, Blunt, SD.

Lori’s service will also be broadcast live.  CLICK HERE to watch her service.

Lori was born in Miller, SD on March 22, 1949 to Lawrence and Hazel Stephenson of Highmore, SD. She spent her childhood growing up on the family farm south of Highmore, riding her horse to attend grade school in a one room schoolhouse not far from her home. In the winter, her father got her and her siblings to school in a horse drawn sleigh. She learned her work ethic from her dad, working with him on the farm. She loved to drive, sometimes too fast, and was later known for unhooking the odometer so her dad did not know how many miles she put on the car when she was just supposed to go to town. She attended Highmore High School and graduated in 1967.

Lauren Ann married Harlan Smith on August 26, 1967. To this union, 3 children were born: Audrey, Lehla and Travis. The family lived on the farmstead north of Harrold, SD, where Harlan grew up as a boy. In 1979, the family moved into their new house west of Harrold, on the farmstead where Travis is currently raising his family. Lori and Harlan worked together to make the farm successful, hiring nannies to stay home with the kids in the summer so they could both be out in the fields. Lori always had a big garden and enjoyed baking. She especially enjoyed making fancy decorated cakes for her children’s birthdays. Sewing was another favorite hobby, making clothes for everyone in the family. She enjoyed riding horses, bowling, singing, golfing, and was very good at racking up wins on the pool table. One of her other favorite pastimes was traveling all around the state taking her son to his motocross races.

Lori decided to start working in Pierre for the State of South Dakota in the mid 1980’s. She went to clerical school in the evenings to become certified. She worked as a secretary in the Bureau of Administration and later in the Office of Property Management. Another event during that time period was Harlan and Lori both getting baptized in the Christian faith in the Missouri River at Farm Island in September of 1986.

On August 30, 1990, Lori married Michael Bourk in Ennis, Montana. Because of this union, Lori gained two more children, Audra and Jess. Lori and Mike made their living working on the Jack Creek Ranch and doing custom work for ranchers in the area. They enjoyed their time in Montana, but decided to move back to Blunt, South Dakota 10 years later. Lori was able to enjoy time with her grandkids when they were young. She stayed with her daughters for a week every time they had a baby. She helped with babysitting and was available to make fried chicken for those who wanted it. She also worked at Runnings in Pierre until she was no longer able to work because of an injury to her ankle. Mike and Lori enjoyed riding their Goldwing motorcycle, going together to haul semi loads in Mike’s trucking business, and taking care of their horses. They liked to eat out and visit with friends at the Medicine Creek Bar and Grill in Blunt. They also frequented the Sunday morning breakfast that is served at the Blunt Senior Center every week.

Lori was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 62. Everyone who loved her watched her slowly decline into the throes of this horrible disease for 12 years. Her loving husband, Mike, took her with him in his semi truck on many days. She loved to ride with him. As her health declined, Mike hired Ashley Pothast to assist in taking care of Lori instead of putting her in a nursing home, as he promised when they first got the diagnosis. Ashley’s care and commitment to Lori and Mike was a huge blessing to their journey and she and her daughters will forever be considered family. Lori loved Mike until the very end, and her children believe this intense love is what kept her going for so long.

Lauren Ann Bourk is survived by her loving husband, Mike Bourk of Blunt, SD; her daughter Audrey (Milton) Lewis of Newport, NE; her daughter Lehla (Justin) Pietz of Watertown, SD; her son Travis (Natasha) Smith of Harrold, SD; her 10 grandchildren, Harlayna (Ben) Cushman of Sioux Falls, SD, Spencer Lucas of Pierre, SD, Christopher Lucas of Newport, NE; Trevor and Jesse Pietz of Watertown, SD; Jessica (Ethan) Hill of Brookings, SD, Stuart, Ethan, Zoe and Hannah Smith of Harrold, SD; her 4 great grandchildren Alayna, Harper, Harmony and Brayson Cushman of Sioux Falls, SD; her two step- children, Audra Bourk of Langdon, ND, and Jess (Sonia) Bourk of Highmore, SD; three step-grandchileren; her brother, Bob (Nadine) Stephenson of Highmore, SD; her sister Mary (Gary) Pavlis of Elletsville, IN; three nieces and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Hazel Stephenson of Highmore, SD; one sister, Janice Hamlin of Billings, MT, and one niece, Laura Hamlin of Billings, MT.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the charity of your choice.

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