Laura Jean Erne

Laura Jean Erne passed away peacefully on 18 October 2025 at home in Island City, Oregon with family by her side.

Born May 24, 1956, to James R. and Dolores M. [Folk] Erne, in Dickinson, ND, she moved with her family from Mandan, ND, in 1960 to Grangeville, ID. She attended St. Peter and Paul’s Elementary School and Grangeville High School graduating in 1974. She later attended Boise State University followed by the University of Idaho. For over 34 years Laura loved and considered Moscow, Idaho her home. During this time, she was active in St. Augustine’s parish, Co-Recreational softball and volleyball, community organizations, and spending quality time with friends and family. While attending the University of Idaho part time Laura was widely respected and worked with distinction at the university full time for the Center for Native American Development, the Center for Business Development and Research, the Dean’s Office in the College of Business and Economics before moving into administration in the area of alumni/development spending nearly 20 years in development.

In March, 1999, she married John Zakrajsek in San Diego, CA and after her retirement in 2013 from U of I she and John moved to La Grande, OR where he works for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Wherever Laura was she enjoyed being active, playing volleyball, softball, biking, hiking and weight lifting, but also spent a good deal of time in the kitchen. Baking and gardening were her way of relaxing, and sharing the things she made and grew with family and friends. She would never miss an opportunity to support her grandkids or meet for coffee with friends locally or hosting loved ones in their home.

Laura loved life, her family, and always thought of others first. She is survived by her husband, and two daughters Emily Hughes of San Francisco, CA and Stacy Wayman of Boise, ID; grandchildren Alyanna Hughes, Walter Hughes, III (Trey), Titus Hughes, Charlette Wayman, Timothy Hughes and Emil Hughes; and siblings Christine Stone of Idaho Falls, ID, Kathleen Erne of Lynwood, WA, James Erne, Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ, Richard Erne of Boise, ID, Steve Erne of Warrenton, OR, Suzanne Erne of Belmont, CA, and David Erne of Sacramento, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents Delores and James and sisters Mary and Geralyn.

At her request there will be no funeral though a celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Contributions in memory of Laura Erne may be made to St. Augustine’s Catholic Center, 628 Deakin St Moscow, ID 83843 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.