Laurel was born on July 2, 1976, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Dennis and Phyllis (Milhous) Smeins, joining big sister Sarah. Her childhood was filled with family, friends, time spent outdoors and at the lake, music, laughter and above all else, love. She met her best friend, Melissa (Dooley) Barber, on the first day of first grade, and their friendship spanned a lifetime. Their circle of friends grew into what they would eventually call “The Group,” a tight-knit group of people who would remain close friends into adulthood.

Laurel followed her sister to Wartburg College, where she studied journalism and public relations, added to her ever-expanding group of lifelong friends, and met Matt Hibbard, whom she married on June 27, 1998. Laurel and Matt settled in the Iowa City area, and Laurel began working at the University of Iowa Foundation in support of various areas within the University, most notably and most passionately for the Children’s Hospital. After 17 years at the UI Foundation she accepted a fundraising and development job with Willowwind School, and in 2021 joined the staff at the North Liberty Community Pantry as the Marketing and Communications Specialist. Laurel also coordinated social media and marketing for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Liberty, where she was an active member until the pandemic and her health limited her involvement. In all of her jobs, Laurel was always deeply committed to and most fulfilled by helping others.

No job was as important to Laurel as being a mom, however, and she was an amazing one. Laurel was extremely proud to be the mother of Clara (20) and Emmalyn (15), whom she smothered with love as much and as often as they would tolerate, and who brought her immense joy every day. Laurel fought bravely against cancer for many years, determined to get every possible moment to spend with her beloved family.

Laurel was a beautiful, kind, loving and gentle soul, but she also was a determined and ferocious fighter. While her journey with triple negative breast cancer was a significant chapter in her story, Laurel refused to allow cancer to be the entirety of her story. Laurel’s life was not defined by cancer, but by love. Laurel loved more, loved better and loved more fully and deeply than anyone else. Even through her most difficult challenges she resolved to share love with others. She checked in on family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and even casual acquaintances, just to see how they were doing. She shared wisdom or laughter or kindness with those who needed it. She supported and encouraged others in their own fights against breast cancer. She made the world better by sharing love with others every single day.

Laurel was welcomed into God’s presence by her beloved father, Dennis; her father-in-law, Philip Hibbard; her grandparents; and her uncle Frank, who preceded her in death. Laurel’s legacy of loving others will be carried forward by her mother, Phyllis; her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah (Smeins) and Chuck Augustine; her husband, Matt; her daughters, Clara and Emmalyn; her aunt, Betty (Smeins) Nikolas; her uncle, Craig Smeins; her cousins; her sisters-in-law; her 13 nieces and nephews and by countless friends and others whose lives were touched by Laurel in some way.

Online condolences can be shared at lensingfuneral.com. Memorial gifts can be made to the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a monetary or non-perishable food donation to the North Liberty Community Pantry. A celebration of Laurel’s life will be held on Saturday, January 3, at 10:30 am, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Liberty. Non-perishable food items will be collected for donation to the North Liberty Community Pantry.

Early detection can be critical in treating breast cancer. Please schedule a mammogram by age 40 or earlier, particularly if you have a family history of breast cancer. Please help us to honor Laurel’s memory and to carry forward her legacy, and LOVE LIKE LAUREL.