Laura Wiseman was born at 10:02 a.m. on October 4, 1971, in Shasta General Hospital in Redding, California.  She weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces and was 17 ½ inches long.  Laura was the third child in the family, which would eventually grow to seven children.  Laura’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck which caused a lack of oxygen which caused most of her disabilities.

Before delivery the doctor could not find a heartbeat. Laura has always been a fighter.  She was in NICU intensive care for one week before we could bring her home.  This was the beginning for Laura of beating the odds with all her medical issues during her lifetime.

At three months of age it was discovered that Laura’s right and left legs were not in her hip sockets. She was in the hospital for several weeks while her legs were pulled straight out into a parallel position until she could do the splits.  This was necessary so her legs could be pushed back in and attached to her hip sockets. Laura was then put in a full body cast from her ankles to the top of her chest for six months.  Then Laura had to wear a brace on both legs for another 6 months.  The doctors told us that Laura may not ever walk.  Once again Laura is a fighter who beat the odds.

At 2 years of age there was another operation. Laura’s eye lids were raised because her eyes were completely shut unless she looked up at the ceiling.

Her tonsils were removed at age 5, and she had her hernia repaired.

Laura had ear tubes placed in her ears 5 times from the age of 5 to 8 years old.  Laura has no hearing in her left ear and 10% in her right ear.

At age 34, in 2005, Laura had open heart surgery.  A mechanical aortic heart valve was inserted.  We were informed that during surgery there were unexpected complications and Laura almost died.  Her heart was placed on ice and attached to a machine.  It took Laura over a year to recover completely from her heart surgery.  Once again Laura is a fighter.

Major foot surgery was performed on Laura’s right foot and then surgery 6 months later on her left foot. She wore a foot brace for several months.

In 2018 Laura had a cyst removed from her eye lid, and then surgery again to remove the broken tube in her tear duct.

In 2020 the ascending aorta was measured at 7.2 centimeters. A healthy aorta is 3 centimeters.  Laura’s aorta continued to grow to 8 centimeters.

Laura is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At the age of 3 months Laura was blessed by her father Kent Wiseman.

At age 8, Laura was baptized by her father Kent Wiseman and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Laura earned her Young Women’s award for reading the Book of Mormon.  This was quite an accomplishment because Laura can only read on a 3 ^rd grade level.  Laura has always read her Book of Mormon faithfully every day without being reminded.

Laura would sit on the couch every morning after breakfast waiting until Dad and Mom would get their Book of Mormon to read before family prayer. She never missed a day.

Laura received her medallion for the Young Women’s Recognition.

Laura was the roll secretary for many years as a teenager.  She was released when someone discovered that she was marking people attending church when they really were absent.

Laura attended elementary school in Redding, California. Laura was featured in the Redding Record Searchlight News at the age of 5 with an article about her learning sign language.  Over Laura’s lifetime she became very proficient in sign language and would help at Riva Vista Center teach sign language in small work groups of students. Laura writes like she signs.  Words are often left out in her sentences.  Laura will correct anyone who misspells a word, especially her school teachers who would write on the black board.  Laura is known for her drawings of people with stick figure arms and legs and her colorful balloons.

Laura attended Parson Junior High School in Redding, California. She was on the Honor Roll all four quarters. She earned a Shasta Union High School Diploma.

Laura attended an adult program for handicapped adults at Riva Vista Center Redding, California, around the age of 35 until we moved to Payson, Utah.

She attended Turn Oasis in Springville, Utah for the past 5 years.  She was loved by her teachers and friends.  Her teacher told us that Laura loved to make sure everyone was keeping the rules and if you were not, she would tell you so.  Laura loves being the playful boss and loves to be in charge.

Laura’s aorta continued to grow and then burst, which was the cause of her death.  Laura died peacefully at home on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 3:45 p.m.

Laura influenced many people with her strong, upbeat personality and the joy she radiated throughout her life on this earth.  She was a friend to all and dearly loved her family and friends.  She is greatly missed.

Laura is survived by: Kent and LaVerne Wiseman, father and mother; Stephanie (Jody) Rookstool, sister; Jennifer Christensen, sister; Jeffrey (Kristilyn) Wiseman, brother; John (Ellen) Wiseman, brother; David (Heather) Wiseman, brother; and Krista Wiseman, sister.  She is also survived by 12 nephews, a nephew-in-law; 11 nieces, and one grandniece.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 952 West 1580 South, Payson, Utah. A visitation where family and friends may gather will be Saturday morning, September 2, 2023, at the church, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.  Interment will be at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to Laura's memorial page shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, and click on the link below.

Laura Wisemen Funeral Service