Laurie B. Shanks

Laurie Beth Shanks, 61, passed away at her Champaign home on April 5, 2022. She was born on December 23, 1960, in Urbana, Illinois. She graduated from Fisher High School where she participated in choir, cheerleading, and was the first girl to play on the boys baseball team. She created a family with Lance Burnam and their three children. She grew her family after marrying Steve Shanks and taking two more children into her heart.

Laurie is survived by her children Lance II (Katie Lenartowicz) Burnam, Lucas (Haley) Burnam, Lindsey Burnam, Nick (Denise) Shanks, and Andrew (Adri) Shanks; Grandchildren Lydia (Cooper Reed) Wertz, Lance III & Colton Burnam, Maddon & Theo Burnam, Mason, Fendley & Sawyer Shanks, Ophelia & Henry Shanks; one great granddaughter Rosalynn Reed; and special granddog Prince. Also surviving are her parents Karen (Carl) Johnson; sister Gwen McMorris, brothers Butch (Julie) Beaird, Brian (Kelly) Johnson and in-laws Sid & Marty Shanks.

She is preceded in death by her father Charles Beaird, the love of her life Steve Shanks, and Brother-in-law Dean McMorris.

Laurie had many close cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who became family. She loved to take in strays and treat them like her own. She had one of the most caring hearts in the world.

Laurie grew up watching Nascar every Sunday with her father Chuck and continued her love of sports throughout her life. She loved spending time with her kids at the ball field and cheering on her own little cheerleader. Most of her free time was spent watching the Cardinals, Illini, Nascar, and the Bears. Laurie was a free spirit. She loved to dance and loved the beach. She spoke fondly of her time spent living in Florida.

A celebration of Lauries life will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St, Champaign IL. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm with a memorial service to immediately follow at 1pm. After services, Laurie will be laid to rest at Eastlawn Cemetery, Urbana. There will be a memorial fund setup thru Lindsey Burnam via Venmo @Lindsey-Burnam. To help with funeral costs and headstone.

Please join her family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Services Visitation Tuesday April 12, 2022 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820 Funeral Service Tuesday April 12, 2022 1:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820