Lori M. Bourassa, 49 of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away Friday, September 2, 2022, at her home, with her husband by her side. Services will be held 5:00pm Friday, September 9, 2022, at the Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Lori was the daughter of Arlo Dean and Joyce Ellen Dirks. She was born and raised predominantly in Sioux City, IA. She graduated from North High School in 1991. This is the place where she met her beloved husband, and soulmate, Jeff. They first met as juniors and started dating in 1989. The two were married February 23, 1996 and shared 26 anniversaries together. Later in life Lori continued on to go to nursing school at USD and graduated in 2005. Lori spent most of her adult career as a nurse. She worked retirement homes, labor and delivery, in-home nurse, and behavioral health but spent most of her time as a manager at Mercy. She was loved by all of her staff and co-workers. Being a nurse was something Lori was very proud of, she loved to care for others.

Lori and Jeff were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters: Alexandria Bourassa, Amber Bourassa, and Abigail Freese (Bourassa). Lori was a wonderful mother and always put her children first. Family vacations were planned yearly and there would be special days when she would pull her kids out of school for no reason to have mommy daughter dates. She was also a proud grandmother and took so much pride in her granddaughter Jolene Jepsen. She loved to read Jolene story books and always let Jolene play with her reading glasses.

Lori loved spending her free time with family. Nothing made her prouder than watching her husband, girls, and friends all get together and have a good time. Every Saturday in the summer she would make appetizers for the pool party and every Sunday during fall she would make food for football Sunday where she would watch her favorite team, the Steelers play. She reserved her Friday nights for Jeff. They always made sure to go on a couple’s date. Lori adored Jeff and he always called her his earth angel.

Lori loved to go for walks. She always left bright and early so she could see the sunrise, taking her dog, Mitzi, with. She loved the beauty of nature and found great solace and meaning in trees. They were her favorite symbol. Anyone who met Lori knew that she loved to dance. Any opportunity for a dance party and she would take it. Lori was also an excellent cook and loved to host dinner parties with the “Fam Bam.” Lori had the most infectious smile and brought warmth and kindness everywhere she went.

Greeting her in death are her grandpa and grandma Laura, and Ernest Johnson, her mother Joyce Dirks, and beloved brother-in-law, Brian McCormick.