Laura Lee Hornecker

Laura Lee (Loyd) Hornecker, age 65, resident of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on May 23, 2016 after being plagued with a yearlong struggle with multiple health issues. She slipped away peacefully at home in Lacey, Washington, with her loving husband by her side. She was born on December 13, 1950, in Almont, Michigan, the daughter of Louis Harold and Ella Juanita (Jenkins) Loyd, the oldest of five children. She married Ricky Lynn Hornecker on February 17, 2000 in Waimanalo Bay, Hawaii, officiated by Reverend Howie who also functioned as the official wedding photographer and individual that sounded the Hawaiian traditional “conch shell” to symbolize a long and happy life together. Laura graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Sterling Heights, Michigan, class of 1968, which was the first graduating class from this newly built school. After graduation, Laura had a hard time deciding what she really wanted to do with her life. So for the next few years she attended college, worked at an A & W Drive-in, got married and divorced, worked in Florida and then in Colorado, and a plastic factory back home in Michigan. Her trip from Michigan to Florida was quite memorable as Laura and her brother, Bob, left home together on a motorcycle heading south as the rest of the family stood in the yard and waved goodbye. Still not thinking any of these jobs were her calling, at age 27 Laura enlisted in the United States Air Force, working as an Electronic Technician assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska until her Honorable Discharge seven years later. While in the Air Force, she received numerous maintenance awards for her outstanding technical abilities, including the highlight of her military career which was a flight over Mt. McKinley in the back seat of an F4 Phantom fighter jet. Laura was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon. She fell in love with the majestic beauty of Alaska and there Laura stayed for the next 18 years employed by the U.S. Air Force working alongside her military counterparts. Laura retired from Federal Service in 2003 and joined her husband, Rick, in Hawaii who had transferred to a new position working for the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. During their four years in Hawaii, Laura enjoyed leisure time, flowers, warm weather, golf, swimming and exploring island life. Laura was an avid reader, enjoying hundreds of books throughout her life. She spent numerous hours as a USO volunteer and as a foster parent. Upon Rick’s retirement in 2007, they returned to Alaska but decided to travel in an RV. The next eight years Laura spent traveling the country with her husband. She visited almost every state during their adventure, staying a summer at the Grand Canyon, Lake of the Ozarks, Key West, Florida, Illinois, California, Washington, Las Vegas and even a couple more summers back in Alaska. The memory she would always tell her friends was her summer staying in the Grand Canyon National Park when the elk would come up under the awning of the RV while she watched them from the door. Laura also enjoyed the many Caribbean cruises she went on during the winter months. The exotic foods served aboard the ship always seemed to be a topic for discussion with friends and family, especially the escargot. Laura was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Bob Loyd of Fresno, California. Surviving is her sister and brother-in-law, Cathleen and Craig Foster of Juneau, Alaska; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Joanne Loyd of Clarksville, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Mercedes Loyd of Fresno, California; brother, Louis Loyd (status unknown). She will be missed by many other family members and friends who loved her dearly. Laura’s husband, Rick, who cared for her day and night during the yearlong battle with her health, witnessed her cremation on June 3, 2016. He cared for Laura in life and now will care for her as she transitions to an everlasting life in our hearts. Laura’s final resting place will be in the “National Cemetery of the Pacific” located at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her interment will include a ceremony with full military honors for her 25 years of faithful service to our Nation. Please leave memories of Laura or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.