Lori Kay Hudson

Obituary

“There are some that bring a light so great to the world that even after they are gone, the light remains.” – unknown

Lori Kay (Anderson) Hudson, during the early morning hours of May 19, 2024, took God’s hand, left her earthly body, and danced.

Lori was born September 24, 1961 to Ramona (Trocinski) and Leslie Anderson, in La Crosse, WI. She graduated from Melrose-Mindoro High School, and then achieved her BSN degree at Viterbo University. She started her nursing career at Gundersen Hospital, La Crosse, WI. Her marriage to Michael Ciuffetelli took her to Ft. Myers, FL. There she worked at Charter Glade Hospital. In 1998, she began her career with Dr. Steven Machlin’s office. Her field was always Behavioral Health. She loved and was loved by her co-workers and her patients. Her dedication to them was unsurpassed. Lori’s last day of work was May 17th, 2024 – and she stayed late to get prescriptions completed before the weekend.

After her marriage to Pinder Hudson, Lori found her soulmate in Brian Davis. They shared life, love, and laughter for 15 beautiful years. Their family was made complete with “the kids”, Cameron, Teddy, Max, Gypsy, and now Mordechai and Sophie. Lori was a passionate advocate for dog rescue.

Lori brought love and light to all around her. She gave generously of herself with a nurse’s spirit of caring and tending to. She was everyone’s best friend, the fun, favorite aunt, and a trusted confidant holding wise counsel. Lori stayed connected to her WI family, friends, and farm roots, loving and nurturing long distance, visiting each summer. She developed a Florida family, creating lifelong beautiful friendships. She brought these two families together and a wide reaching circle of support blossomed. Many adjectives have been used to describe Lori: loving, spicy, influential, selfless, gritty, a warrior, tenacious (nice word for stubborn), compassionate, able to be goofy, and of course, her funky sense of style that only she could pull off.

A backyard jungle and bird sanctuary evolved when Lori discovered her green thumb. She enjoyed quiet time on her lanai, taking in the beauty of her plantings, the visiting birds and accompanying birdsong. She loved music, and danced without restraint. She would perform her signature “toe touch” with a laugh, because few, if any, could replicate it safely. After her initial breast cancer diagnosis, she bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle. She rode Mr. Nightster with the Gulf Coast Cruisers all around the state of Florida, then at Sturgis, and to the top of Mt. Evans, Colorado. She refused to be a cancer patient.

Lori is survived by: Brian Davis, Ft. Myers, FL; Brother, Dennis Anderson (Rhonda Olafson), Mindoro, WI; Sister, Mary (Rich) Sinclair, Mindoro, WI

Nieces and Nephews: Chris (Teresa) Anderson, Sparta, WI; Dustin (Jodi) Anderson, Mindoro, WI; Rick (Kayla) Anderson, La Crosse, WI; Johanna Wanie, Melrose, WI; Jesse Wanie (Pa Nia Xiong), Mindoro, WI; Great Nieces and Nephews, Bonus Nieces and Nephew, Maria Magnuson, Addi and Finn Lewis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Ramona Anderson Jolivette; Stepfather, Neil Jolivette; brothers, Michael, Dean, and David Anderson.

A memorial service will be held at Mindoro Lutheran Church, W3879 Co Rd DE, Mindoro, WI on June 22nd, at 3:30 pm CT. There will be visitation at 2:30 pm. The service will be live-streamed on Mindoro Lutheran Church ELCA Facebook page and available on the church website. There will be food and fellowship immediately following in the church basement. We ask those who join us to dress in a manner that reflects Lori’s light. Bright colors, chunky jewelry, and eclectic styles are encouraged – “You gotta let your SoulShine”.

A private burial at Neshonic Cemetery, West Salem, WI will be held at a later date. A celebration of Lori will be planned in Ft. Myers after hurricane season. Details will be posted on Lori’s facebook page.

Memorials may be designated to Spay-Lee Animal Rescue Charity Organization or Mindoro Lutheran Church.

Lori’s light remains bright in all who knew and loved her. We are committed to sharing it as she so freely did.