Laurel E. Nelson, 69, passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City, UT surrounded by family September 28, 2025.
Laurel Ellen was born to Paul and Mabel Durkee on December 1, 1955 in Canby, Minnesota.
Laurel, along with her brothers Joe, Jim & Donnie and her older sister Ruth grew up on the family ranch in Livermore, California at the base of Altamount pass.
Laurel enjoyed her young adulthood: learning, traveling, singing and always having fun. She met her first husband Emery Nelson Jr, “Frank” in Castro Valley. Together Laurel and Emery made a life in Tuolumne County where they raised two sons, Emery Eugene III and Jacob Paul.
Laurel had a passion for care taking. She received her Licensed Vocational Nursing Degree during her career at Sonora Community Hospital where she successfully filled various positions over the years. Laurel’s passion for caring for others and her entrepreneurial spirit facilitated the opening of Country Lane Estates, a care home for the elderly. In 1995, Laurel and co-founder Karla Wright opened Country Lane Estates, a six-bed care home for the elderly where they provided World Class quality care to individuals & their families. Laurel owned and operated Country Lane Estates with her team for 14 years. Country Lane Estates was well known for providing a home-like atmosphere to include dignity in life, quality of life and the best care that was provided with love from the heart.
Of course, neither Laurel's adventures nor her success would end there. In 2009, Laurel headed West with her newly wed husband and lifetime friend, Dale Anderson.
She always called it the adventure of a lifetime
Laurel and Dale enjoyed riding motorcycles together, including a trip to two to Sturgis. Somewhere between Sturgis and California they found this little spot on the map- Atlantic City, Wyoming…. And, guess what? There was a business opportuniy…The Miner’s Grubstake and Saloon.
Laurel and Dale owned what would come to be the world famous Miner’s Grubstake and Saloon for 16 years, selling April 1st, 2025– no joke! Laurel and Dale worked tirelessly to provide not only food and drink but hospitality to the locals and the travelers from all over the world. Laurel cared for people in her bar, as she did at the care home– she, along with Dale, provided world class care to bar patrons, restaurant comers, hikers, bikers and the locals.
Laurel is survived by her husband, Dale Anderson; sons Emery Nelson III of Sonora (Tessa) and Jacob Nelson (Cathy) of Atlantic City, WY; siblings Ruth Durkee (Kelli) of Dallas, TX; Jim Durkee (Sandra) of Pleasanton, CA; Joe Durkee (Rosie) of Mountain House, CA; and Donnie Durkee of Copperopolis, CA; along with eight nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Emery Nelson Jr.
Laurel’s life was full of love and passion for others. Thank you all for being a part of her life.
Join us in celebrating her life this December in Sonora, CA or next Spring/Summer 2026 up on the Mountain.