Laura Jayne Cerven

After a courageous battle with colon cancer, Laura Jayne Cerven, 43, of Irving, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois. Services will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro, Illinois, with visitation starting at 9:00 am until 11:00 am. The Funeral Mass will follow the visitation and begin at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at St. Raymond Catholic Cemetery in Raymond, Illinois.

Laura was born September 28, 1981, in Springfield, Illinois, to Robert L. and Carolyn A. (Walch) Cerven. She spent her childhood and early adult years in Montgomery County, Illinois. It was here that her passion for horses would take root and shape her life and career.

After graduating from the Hillsboro High School in 1999, she enrolled at the University of Illinois, where, in 2003, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, with Science, Biotech and Pre Vet Med option. Her beloved horse, Flash, has been her constant companion for decades. From her childhood home to college in Champaign, then on to Kentucky for 20 years – wherever Laura went Flash was never far behind.

As a young girl, she was active in 4-H, participated in showing horses, riding in parades, and participating in equestrian events. Her love of horses led her to a career as a Brood Mare Manager at thoroughbred farms in Kentucky. Most recently she worked at Montgomery County Clerk’s Office.

Preceding Laura in death is her father, Robert; grandparents, Paul & Emma (Desatnick) Cerven and Willis & Eileen (Leitschuh) Walch; aunts, Barbara (Cerven) Norris, Rebecca (McGhee) Cerven; and uncle, Don “Pete” Tolly.

Surviving her are her mother, Carolyn Cerven of Irving, Illinois; brother, Stephen (Jennifer) Cerven of Colchester, Illinois; sister, Leann (Wesley) Kridner of New Boston, Michigan; nieces, Isabel & Lillian Kridner; nephews, Collin & Austin Cerven and Henry Kridner; aunts and uncles, Marie Tolly of Louisville, Kentucky, Paul (Grace) Cerven of Wisconsin, Martin Cerven of Pana, Illinois, Veronica (Floyd) Patten of Minnesota, James Cerven of Carbondale, Illinois, Andrew (Kathy) Cerven of Charleston, Illinois, Patrick Norris of Pana, Illinois, M. Jane McVey of Florida, Thomas (Marla) Walch of Missouri, James (Jill) Walch of Chatham, Illinois; numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, the family has asked that donations in Laura’s memory be made to: American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD., 21741 or to a horse charity such as STARR Farm (www.starrfarm.org) and Saddlebred Rescue (www.saddlebredrescue.networkforgood.com).

The family has chosen Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois, to be in charge of her arrangements.

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