Laura Elaine Cummins

Laura Elaine Cummins passed on March 12th, 2021. She was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on August 6th, 1957, to Stewart Edward and Geraldine Elaine (May) Cummins. She was the first of their four children.

Laura grew up primarily in New Carlisle, Ohio and, graduated with high honors from Tecumseh High School. She then attended Bowling Green University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Geology. Then Laura attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, earning her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Geology. There she met and married Russell Don Walker. After extensive travel in the United States, Russ and Laura chose to settle in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1990 due to its beauty and access to multiple outdoor recreational activities. There they enjoyed camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband Russ, her sister, Lisa Diane (Cummins) Lemmon, and her mother Geraldine Elaine (May) Cummins. Laura is survived by her daughter, Kate Ellyn Walker, her father, Stewart Edward Cummins, brother Grant Douglas Cummins, and sister Linda Louise Cummins.

Laura had a passion for cooking and fiber arts including weaving, fabric dyeing, and quilting. She was involved in America’s Test Kitchen testing new recipes. Laura’s passion for fabrics was ignited by her mother, Geraldine, an accomplished seamstress, quilter, and crafter. Laura created an extensive collection of original artwork pieces over her lifetime. She was involved in her local Arts Center, quilting groups, and taught courses in various fiber art techniques she learned and developed. Although proud of her fiber arts accomplishments, Laura stated her greatest creation was her daughter, Kate. Laura collected a diverse group of compassionate friends over her lifetime who helped carry her along her path in life. Her family is very grateful for their kindnesses.

Laura spent most of her career working as a contractor for the Department of Energy as an environmental and regulatory analyst. Her coworkers described her as one of the most important persons in the office and frequently consulted her for challenging problems as she could find the solutions.

Laura died at home under the care of HopeWest Hospice. Memorial donations in Laura’s name can be made to HopeWest.