ROCHELLE – Laurel J. "Laurie" Yates, 76, of Rochelle and formerly of Dixon, died Sept. 21 at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling.

She was born on Aug. 9, 1945 in Poynette, Wisconsin, the daughter of Thomas Elton and Mildred Esther (Messmann) Tomlinson. She had married Mitchell L. Yates and he died Sept. 20, 1995. She had worked at Accurail in Elburn for several years. Laurie was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. She enjoyed reading and loved watching her favorite TV shows: Deal or No Deal and Dancing with the Stars.

Survivors include her son, James (Dawn) Timmons of Sterling; daughter, Michelle (Scott) Schipper of Morrison; stepson, Daniel Yates; stepdaughters, Jennifer (Joe) Loomis and Denice Yates; her sisters, Patricia (Dennis) Cote of Hampshire and Valerie (Walter) Weiss of Rockford; and her grandchildren, Mark Michels and Joseph (Jennifer) Michels, Brandon and Sean Johnson, and Monica (Alexander) Nielsen; and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Thomas Tomlinson; and her stepson, Matthew Yates.

Arrangements were completed by the McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory in Rock Falls. There will be a celebration of life on Nov. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Candlelight Inn, 2200 1st Ave, Rock Falls, Illinois, 61270.