Laurie Weatherston — 1952-2016

Laurie Nelson Weatherston

Laurie Nelson Weatherston died Oct. 10, 2016, from complications with surgery at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. She was 64.

Laurie was born June 11, 1952. She grew up in the Los Angeles area. After successfully battling cancer in her early 20s, she completed her studies at Sonoma State University, earning her bachelor’s in psychology in 1976.

Her interests in running, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing led her to Lake Tahoe in the early 1980s, where she met her future husband, Scott Weatherston, and her soon to be stepson Sean. Scott and Laurie celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on Sept. 17.

Laurie’s career began in 1984 working for Turner & Associates Inc. in Stateline. This was followed by Lumos & Associates Inc. ins Carson City and R.O. Anderson Engineering Inc. in Minden.

She became a licensed professional land surveyor in 2002. In 2006, she started Weatherston Surveying LLC.

Laurie loved her mountains, often venturing out solo to hike, run and snowshoe in the Upper Kingsbury area. She trekked the mountain sides of Virginia City and Kingston to plot out properties for her clients.

She was also an avid San Francisco Giants fan, played the piano, acoustic guitar, and flute.

Her love of the outdoors led her to being an active and valuable member of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (DCSAR) team for 12 years. Along with responding to peeople in need, she also managed the first aid program for DCSAR, and took the lead in providing first aid teams for the many bicycle and running events at Lake Tahoe. Never turning down an assignment, she met the challenges with enthusiasm, in spite of her small stature, all of 95 pounds and 4-feet-11-inches. 

Laurie leaves behind her loving husband, Scott; sister Kathy Nelson; stepson Sean Weatherston; and stepmother Marilyn Nelson. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, friends and her beloved cats, Persia, Wolfie and Yoda.

Laurie is preceded in death by her parents, Don Nelson and Barbara Eiler; part of a landmark entertainment family headed by her uncle and aunt, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson; and her stepfather Martin Sperzel.

A memorial and celebration of life for Laurie will be Dec. 10 at 2pm at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline.