Laurie Raboin

Laurie Ann Raboin, 62, of Baxter, Minnesota, passed away on July 22, 2026, in Baxter.

Laurie was born on May 26, 1964, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Andrew Babinsky and Ann Stearns. She grew up in the Belleville, Illinois, area and graduated from Belleville High School in 1982. She later continued her education at Valencia Community College in Florida, earning her associate degree in 1990.

Laurie’s life took her to many places and gave her the opportunity to build friendships across the country. After spending her early years in Belleville, she lived for periods of time in Tempe and Mesa, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Arlington, Virginia; and Orlando, Florida. It was in Orlando that Laurie married John S. Raboin on August 17, 1990. Together, they eventually made their way to Minnesota, settling first in Brainerd in 1991 and later making Baxter their home in 1999.

Laurie began her working years as a cosmetologist and later worked in retail. In 1997, she became a homemaker, devoting herself to the role that meant more to her than any other—being a mother.

Family was everything to Laurie, and her greatest joy was her children, JJ and Lilly. She cherished the love, laughter and memories they shared, and being their mom was one of the greatest gifts of her life. The love she had for her family could be seen in the way she lived each day and in the countless ways she cared for those closest to her.

Laurie also possessed a remarkable gift for friendship. Wherever life took her, she found people who became much more than acquaintances—they became lifelong friends. In Belleville, she grew up surrounded by a special group of friends who remained an important part of her life through the years and across the miles.

When Laurie and her family settled in Baxter, that same gift for bringing people together quickly became part of the neighborhood. Neighbors became dear friends and, before long, felt more like family. Many summer evenings were spent gathered in a driveway, simply talking, telling stories and laughing together. The sound of that laughter carrying through the neighborhood was a fitting reflection of Laurie herself: warm, welcoming and happiest when surrounded by people she loved.

Among all of Laurie’s treasured relationships, one of the most special was the bond she shared with her mother. Laurie and her mom were truly best friends. No matter where life—or one of John’s trips around the country—happened to take her, the two spoke on the phone every single day. Those daily conversations were a constant in Laurie’s life and a treasured expression of the closeness they shared.

Laurie had a warmth that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. She loved deeply, laughed easily and had a way of making people feel welcome and valued. She created lasting connections wherever she went and leaves behind countless memories of friendship, laughter and love.

To those who knew her best, Laurie (Babinsky) Raboin truly was one of the sweetest people on the planet.

Laurie is survived by her husband, John S. Raboin; her son, John J. “JJ” Raboin; her daughter, Lilly A. (Raboin) Seeley; her father, Andrew Babinsky; her niece, Nickie Pelch; and the many friends and loved ones whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, Minnesota.

A second celebration will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Christ Community Lutheran Church, 1 Christchurch Way, Columbia, Illinois 62236.

Laurie will be deeply missed, but the love she gave so freely, the friendships she nurtured and the laughter she brought into the lives of others will remain with those who loved her for years to come.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.