Lauren E. Schwab, 20, of Austin, Minn., died Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Austin.

Lauren Elizabeth Schwab was born April 24, 1992, in Amherst, N.Y., to Patrick and Elizabeth (Philips) Schwab. Lauren, our LoLo, was a gift of joy and inspiration to everyone who knew her. She attended St. A’s Elementary School and graduated from Austin High School in 2010. Her positive impact on our community began early with her active involvement in many school clubs and organizations, where her genuine, warmhearted, bubbly personality gained her many friends.

Upon graduation, Lauren pursued her passion of becoming a nurse at Winona State University in Winona and Riverland in Austin. It was a very fitting career path for someone who was always devoted to helping and caring for others. She was a very avid babysitter for many families, a member of the Red Cross Board, a Red Cross volunteer and a devoted nursing assistant to the residents of Sacred Heart Care facility. Her co-workers at QPP praised her not only for her meticulous attention to detail in QC, but for her willingness to help others whether it was related to the job or not.

Nothing can compare to the caring, concern and love Lauren showed for her close-knit family. She was cheerleader, comedian, adviser, fun-loving adversary and rock to her beloved siblings Nathan and Paiton. She followed the great role models of her parents, Beth and Pat, to a new level as she matured and developed into the kind, sincere, independent young woman she was when God called her home. Lauren encouraged them to sign up as a family for a mission trip to Guatemala this coming July. It would have been a perfect complement to some of their traditional family fun adventures to Vail, Colo., and Green Bay Packer Games — but this time fulfilling her desire to care for and help others.

Lauren’s million-dollar smile, trademark, contagious laughter, melt-your-heart big brown eyes and bear hugs are the physical characteristics we will miss most about her. But transcending that was her innate ability to make everyone she met feel special and valued. She took the time to talk, listen, care and help. The emotional imprint she left on all our hearts is profound. She was beautiful inside and out! We are all better people for having known and loved Lauren Elizabeth Schwab! Let her smile light up the heavens and her laughter continue to shake us here on earth! We love you, Lauren!

She was preceded in death by her grandmother Cali Philips, godfather Villo Offen, and great-grandparents.

Lauren is survived by her parents, Patrick and Beth Schwab; brother, Nathan Schwab; sister, Paiton Schwab, all of Austin; grandparents, James and Dorothy Schwab, Cedar Falls, Iowa, William Philips and his wife Sherry, Murdo, S.D.; uncles and aunt, Tony Philips, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cyndi and Cory Mitteness, Mayer, Minn.; “other brother”: Goliath Oboyo, Austin; cousins and extended family.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also be held at the church for one hour before the service on Friday morning.

Memorials may be directed to the “Lauren Schwab Scholarship Fund” in care of the family.