Laura Marie Poresky
September 15, 2020
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Service Details
Laura M. Poresky, supervisor of period clothing at Living History Farms, passed away from abdominal cancer on September 15, 2020, at her home in Des Moines, attended by her mother and her sister. She was born in Ithaca, NY on April 7, 1972, the daughter of Robert and Barbara Poresky, and came to Manhattan, KS at the age of 4 months when her father joined the faculty at Kansas State University.
Laura started her costume career in high school with the Society for Creative Anachronism which enjoys renaissance style activities. She graduated from Coe College and was a Theater Major. Laura received her Master’s Degree in Textiles and Clothing from Iowa State University. She worked at Old Cow Town in Wichita, Kansas for several years before moving to Des Moines. Laura started working at Living History Farms in 2002. She was responsible for all the costuming for interpreters. She made sure the interpreters wore period appropriate clothing and sewed most of it herself. Visitors to Living History Farms can see her work as they talk to the interpreters at the 1850 Farm, the 1870’s Village and the 1900 Farm. She worked until the time she went in to the hospital. Laura says, “If you saw a woman in long skirts on a yellow bicycle riding around Des Moines, that was me.”
Laura participated in the Drake University Community Choir, ushered at Hoyt Sherman and spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. She was involved with MOMCC (Midwest Open Air Museums Coordinating Council), ALFHAM (Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums), the Des Moines Area Barn and Contra Dance, and attended the Chrononaut Cotillion which included the Brass Gears Adventures Society and the Des Moines Science Fiction Society.
Laura is survived by her mother, Barbara Poresky; sister, Pamela Baker; her two cats, Gatsby and Lilly; uncles, Brian (Kathy) Keebaugh, Gregory (Becky) Keebaugh, Richard Poresky and Donald Poresky; cousins, Zachary Keebaugh, Amanda (Petra) Steinke, Rachel (Michael) Windsparger and Timothy Keebaugh. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Poresky; her grandparents; and her first cat, LadyCat.
Cremation will occur with scattering to take place at Glendale Cemetery. Any memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Living History Farms in loving memory of Laura.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Rick Finch
09/17/2020
My sincere condolences to the family. I really enjoyed my time working with Laura at LHF. She was so inquisitive and always a pleasure to speak with. I still remember the staff education talk she gave to us on 19th century packing for a trip. It was fascinating. She had a true passion for historic clothing, the museum field, and her colleagues. She will be missed.
Katie Nowack
09/17/2020
Laura was one of the first people I met through MOMCC. I knew right away that she was unique and so comfortable in her own skin, and she was so talented and full of knowledge; she was the type of person I strive to be. I barely knew her, but she left a great impression on me, and I know she did the same for so many others.
Libbie Willert
09/17/2020
I did not know Ms. Poresky personally in any way. However, as a teacher who visited LHF many times, I was always struck by her knowledge and passion for her job. I saw her several times working in the millinery and would have thought I had stepped back in time. My condolences to her family and to the staff (and patrons) of Living History Farms. Such a loss for so many.
Christine Evans
09/17/2020
There are no words to describe this loss. I close my eyes and see replayed a lifetime of fun and amazing memories. Thank you Laura for being that friend that helped shapes my life. Thank you to the Poresky family to opening their home and their hearts to me as a kid. You are all forever written across my heart.