Laurel Dee Aulich

Laurel Dee Linford was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Dee and Madelynn (Blakely) Linford on 2 February 1959.

With her trusted big brother John, young Laurel learned the winding streets and secret alleys of old Santa Fe and reveled in the music, food, commerce, and excitement of the Plaza. After losing her parents at age12, Laurel moved around a bit, living in Texas, New Mexico, California, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Brainerd, Minnesota, where—in April 1992—she met and made a big impression on a guy from North Dakota. In July 1992, Laurel married Ted Aulich in Santa Fe and moved with him to Grand Forks. Laurel took ferociously good care of Ted and sons Brendan and John, and instilled in them a lifelong love and respect for the New Mexico green chile. She was an irresistible dancer, courageous singer, captivating writer, provocative conversationalist, strong swimmer, strikingly accomplished late-blooming roller blader and tennis player, rescuer of stray kittens (one of which required buying a house to evade legal action by a cold-hearted landlord), and unrivaled chicken taco maker. Laurel slipped away unexpectedly on 1 June 2025 with late afternoon sun and a warm breeze coming through her window.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Joe Linford.

Laurel is survived by husband Ted Aulich, sons John Aulich and Brendan Crofutt (Katie), grandchildren Vaida Crofutt and Aubrey Crofutt (Moses), great grandchildren Corizon and Lazlo, sisters Madelynn Johnston (Charlie) and Liz Dunn (Michael), brothers James Dunn (Lucy) and John Linford (Sherry), nieces and nephews (including Cara Dunn and Leslie Hudspeth), and best friend Tamara West. Family members held a 3-day celebration of Laurel's life at her home in Grand Forks.