Judge Laurie A. Fontaine 1956 - 2025 Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Laurie A. Fontaine, 68, of Cavalier, ND passed away Monday, June 2, 2025 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cavalier Presbyterian Church in Cavalier, ND. The visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Laurie A. (Fuller) Fontaine was born in Grand Forks, ND on August 17th, 1956, to Ronald and Mayme Fuller of Hamilton, North Dakota. Ron and Mayme later moved the family to the Fuller home in Cavalier where Laurie grew up and went to school.

Laurie was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert L. Fontaine, on May 17, 1991, in Cavalier, North Dakota. Bob and Laurie loved one another deeply and supported each other through all things with unwavering commitment. They had so much fun and worked hard to build a life together that revolved around the love they shared for one another, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bob and Laurie had many adventures, watched a lot of Sioux hockey, and always went all out hosting the very best Christmas Eve for the entire family.

Laurie attended college at Mayville State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 1978; continuing her education at University of North Dakota School of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree in 1983.

Laurie began her legal career practicing law privately with Wes Argue in Hamilton, North Dakota. She always reflected on that first opportunity with gratitude and a great deal of respect for Wes as a mentor and a friend.

Laurie served as Pembina County State’s Attorney from 1987 to 1998 where she developed her love of the practice of law and built lifelong relationships in the community. In 1998 she was elected as a District Court Judge for the Northeast Judicial District, a position she held with distinction until her retirement from the bench in 2021. Laurie then joined her son Garret Fontaine in private practice at Fontaine Law Office. Laurie was immeasurably proud of Garret and loved her time working with and mentoring him as he began his legal career. Laurie retired from Fontaine Law office and the practice of law September of 2024.

Laurie practiced law for 41 years, and it was a labor of love she carried out with honesty, integrity, compassion for all people, and a lot of hard work. Laurie was dedicated to the law and to the principles of fairness and equity for the people and communities she served. Laurie was a trail blazer for women in the law in North Dakota, holding the distinction of being the first female attorney in the Northeast Judicial District, the first female State’s Attorney in the Northeast Judicial District, and the first female District Judge in the Northeast Judicial District, a position she was re-elected to in 2004, 2010, and 2016. Laurie also served as presiding judge of the judicial district from February 1st, 2013, through December 31st, 2019. She served on multiple legal advisory and rule reform committees throughout her career, contributing to her legal community when the opportunity arose.

Laurie loved to laugh and did so often, many of us have amazing memories of the jokes we shared and the times we laughed with her until we were breathless and in tears. She was so vibrantly full of life, creativity, enthusiasm, and genuine care of others. She was always an example of optimism in the face of any adversity and accomplished any goal she set her mind to. She found joy in all things but especially loved her family home and added her own love and magic to the home place in such a way that we will feel her there forever and be comforted. She loved her beautiful cats, Winston and Churchill, her ponies, and being out in the woods walking on her trails. Laurie loved her sisters and her brother, always remaining close and connected to them as well as their children. She was fun and interesting “Aunt Laurie” to her nieces and nephews and she loved them so much.

Laurie had incredible wit and humor, which she gifted to each of her children. She was an amazing, selfless, giving, and loving mother who understood and loved each of her children perfectly. She recognized and celebrated our individual gifts and taught us all by example to look at the world a little differently, finding something positive or beautiful in all people and places. She also taught us all by example to be curious, be kind, to treat others with compassion and empathy, and to speak up for others when needed. She didn’t believe in leaving important things unsaid and reminded us often that life was fragile – always ending visits and phone calls by telling us she loved us. Laurie loved each of her grandchildren, and great grandchildren in the same amazing way she loved her children. She celebrated each of them and knew their hearts, creating so many special connections and relationships that each of them felt loved and were connected to grandma.

Laurie was a blessing to everyone who had the good fortune to know her, and she will be missed forever.

~Love you to the moon and back, times ten ❤️

Laurie is survived by her husband, Bob Fontaine, children, Tracy (John) Dalsted, Jessie Cook, Garret (Christina) Fontaine, Patricia Fontaine, Melissa Fontaine, and Taylor (Tara) Fontaine, Joyce (Tony) Leidy, grandchildren, Lindsey (Josh) Wretling, Mason Dalsted, Noah Bartolomei, Joey, Cassie, Mathew, and Christian Alanis, Peyton and Zach Campbell, Theo, Archie, and Vada Fontaine, Tayler and Tony Leidy, great grandchildren Loa, Royce, Rueben, and Aiden. Sisters, Barbara Macdonald, Peggy (Wayne) Dahlberg, Rhonda (Jeff) Yeado, and her brother John (Trudy) Fuller. Nieces and nephews, Tannis MacDonald, Joanne MacDonald, David Dahlberg, Sara (Hawk) Windchief, Erin (Matt) Mecklin, Dana (Russ) Reetz and Peri Westbrook. Laurie is also survived by many special cousins, great nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Laurie was preceded in death by her parents, Ron and Mayme Fuller, and nephews John Moore, and Michael Moore.

Find full details here: https://www.askewfuneralhome.com/obituaries/laurie-fontaine