Laura Martha Larsen Kinsel's Obituary
Laura Martha Larsen Kinsel, 86, of Longview, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2017. Laura was known as “Lolly” by her New Jersey friends and family, affectionately “Lol” by her husband, and “Mimi” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was born on April 18, 1930 in Ford, New Jersey and grew up in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. As a child she loved to tap dance and sing in the church choir. In high school, she was the drum majorette at Perth Amboy High.
Working at Prudential Insurance in New Jersey, she transferred to Houston where she met the love of her life, and three weeks later on January 8 she married John Winston Kinsel, Sr.
In October, 1959, she and her husband John founded The Winston Company in Houston, Texas. Laura worked as Purchasing Agent for the company for many years. The company later became Winston Manufacturing Corporation and is now Winston/Royal Guard Corporation. In 1979 Laura and her husband moved the company to Longview, Texas where she has since resided. After her husband’s death in 2002, she assumed the role of President and CEO.
Laura had many wonderful friends including those still in New Jersey, former roommates, past and current neighbors, and her employees who have always been like family. She was never without a smile for everyone.
Laura was predeceased by her husband, John W. Kinsel, Sr.; her parents, Edward Jorgen Larsen, born in Norway, and Laura Jensena Christensen, born in Demark; brothers, Edward (Eddie), LeRoy (Lee), and Clifford (Cliff) Larsen; brother-in-law, Joseph (Joe) Nicastro; and an infant sister, Martha. She is survived by her sister, Edna Marie Nicastro, sons John W. Kinsel, Jr. (Cheryl), George D. Kinsel (Debra), Jeffrey J. Kinsel, and daughter Karen K. Henry; granddaughters Marcie K. Berry (Robert), Christy K. Hayes (Rob); grandsons Jeffrey R. Kinsel (Kathy), David J. Henry, Aaron J. Henry, Samuel P. Kinsel, and Mathew N. Kinsel; great-grandsons Robert O. Berry IV, Jacob W. Berry, and Jack Hayes; great-granddaughters, Katie Hayes and Mya Kinsel; and nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to Cristie Walker for the care and compassion she provided over the last many months, as well as Heart to Heart Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their extraordinary care.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home of Longview on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 pm until 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10 am in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Rosewood Park Cemetery, Hope Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, Longview, Texas.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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