Laurel Ann Schmalz

Laurel Ann Schmalz (nee Voigt), 83, of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, passed away surrounded by family on October 22, 2026.

Born on January 23, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to Curt and Ann Voigt (nee Holz), Laurel was an avid tennis and volleyball player. She had a fantastic sense of humor and loved a good joke, sharing one or having one shared with her. She enjoyed reading all kinds of books and playing cards and she usually found a way to pull out a win, even if it took up to the very last hand to make it happen. She knew many facts about a wide variety of topics and participated in trivia games and contests. She pursued multiple entrepreneurial businesses including Kayla’s Rx Clothes created to honor her granddaughter, Kayla.

On April 27, 1968, Laurel married her beloved husband Bill and together they built a home filled with love, warmth, and laughter. Laurel was a cherished mother who devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom and supported her children through all their endeavors, large and small, throughout their lives. She never missed one of Lisa’s track events or Catherine’s school activities. She was a loving and fun grandmother who never failed to come up with creative meals like hot dog octopuses on ramen seaweed and imaginative (and sometimes a little dangerous!) activities to do with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill, her children Lisa Sleconich (Robert) and Catherine Nevsimal, grandchildren Kayla Blasz (Sarah), Kyle Sleconich, and Daniel Nevsimal, sister Marsha Voigt-Zemo (Shelly), and her nieces. She was proceeded in death by her parents.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 3, at 10:30 AM at Church of the Holy Spirit (St. Gregory of Nissa Parish) at 1451 Bode Road in Schaumburg. Interment Private. Arrangements entrusted to The Oaks Funeral Home.