Of Neenah, WI (Formerly of Hancock, MI)
Passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 7, 2024. She was a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. Lauren was born October 1, 1977 in Marquette, MI. She is the daughter of the late Garfield W. Hood and Susan J. (Laraway) Hood, who survives.
Lauren attended Baraga Area Schools, graduating in 1995. She was an accomplished and talented competitive figure skater for more than a dozen years, winning numerous awards. In addition to figure skating, Lauren also participated in basketball, volleyball and cheerleading. After high school she furthered her education at Ferris State University. While pursuing her education at Ferris, Lauren was employed by a very popular deli called Peppers where she worked with amazing people, many of whom she formed lifelong friendships with. Lauren’s huge heart led her to a degree in Social Work which she utilized in the childcare field. During her time at Ferris, she met her future husband, Nathan Hamstra. In October of 2005, Lauren and Nathan were united in marriage in Houghton, MI. They resided in Boyne City, MI where they welcomed their daughter Carmen Josephine Hamstra on August 12, 2006. Lauren and Nate later grew apart and separated.
In 2007, Lauren began working at Little Huskies Daycare at Michigan Technological University. She was employed as a Lead Teacher. While working at Little Huskies Lauren formed a friendship with a trusted coworker, Jack Kiefer. The friendship blossomed and they made the decision to become a family. Lauren and Jack were married on June 13, 2013 in Houghton, MI and welcomed their son John Garfield Kiefer on January 9, 2014, in Hancock, MI. Shortly after John’s arrival, Lauren and Jack decided to relocate to Neenah, WI which offered many of the same recreational activities that they enjoyed in the Upper Peninsula. Both Jack and Lauren had a passion for the outdoors and loved to spend time together hunting, fishing, boating, and spending the summer at their camper in Two Rivers, WI. During the pandemic she was employed by Chartwells, Neenah Joint School District in the food service division. Her role was essential to ensuring families received nutritious meals during a very uncertain time. In 2020, Lauren and Jack made the decision to open a small family HVAC business in Neenah; Jack Kiefer Heating & Air. The business grew steadily, and Lauren quit her job to join the office team. The dedication and hard work paid off as the business grew, very quickly earning an outstanding reputation in the industry.
One of Lauren’s favorite things was doing random acts of kindness. She would fill up community food boxes, drop off baked goods to local businesses, even little things like complimenting a stranger. She loved doing harmless pranks to brighten people’s day. Lauren will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving is husband Jack Kiefer, daughter Carmen Hamstra, and son John Kiefer, all of Neenah, WI. Also surviving are her mother, Sue Hood of Englewood, FL; Sisters Sarah (Drew) Fraser of Cheshire, CT, and Kristin (Ben) Stermer of Paw Paw, MI, several nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.