The small town of Colfax, Wisconsin, is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved community members. Lisa Hurlburt, the director of the Colfax Public Library, was killed in what her family has described as a violent and senseless attack.
In the days since her passing, friends, neighbors, and strangers across the country have come together to support her daughters, Emma and Leila, through a GoFundMe campaign that has already raised over $17,000 toward a $20,000 goal.
Emma Hurlburt, who organized the fundraiser, shared a heartfelt message asking for help covering funeral costs, legal fees, and other urgent expenses that have come with the sudden and devastating loss of her mother.
The campaign has received 182 donations in just a matter of hours, a testament to the deep impression Lisa left on the people around her.
A Woman Who Lived to Serve Others
Those who knew Lisa describe her as someone who never stopped giving. As library director, she spent years advocating for community members who needed resources, information, and a welcoming space.
She was also a dedicated volunteer who gave her time freely to various causes throughout the region, always looking for new ways to make life a little better for the people she encountered.
Beyond her professional work, Lisa was known for her creativity and artistic spirit. She had a quirky sense of humor that could lighten any room, and her passion for art gave her a unique way of connecting with others.
Friends remember her as someone who made every interaction feel meaningful, whether she was helping a patron find a book or laughing over something only she could find funny in the best way.
Her daughters remember her not just as a mother, but as a force of nature who poured love into everything she did.
The GoFundMe page describes how her absence is deeply felt across the community, from close friends to casual acquaintances who crossed paths with her over the years.
How the Community Is Responding
The response to the campaign has been swift and generous. Among the notable contributions is a $1,000 donation from Jeremy Hoffman, listed as the top donor. Dozens of others have given amounts ranging from $25 to $500, and many have chosen to donate anonymously.
The outpouring reflects just how far Lisa’s influence reached throughout her community and beyond.
Emma and Leila have made clear that any funds raised beyond their immediate needs will not go to waste. They plan to direct any surplus toward a community project in their mother’s memory, with the Colfax Public Library being one of the top considerations.
It is a fitting tribute for a woman who spent so much of her life ensuring that the library remained a vital part of the community.
Grief is never easy, and navigating it while simultaneously managing funeral arrangements and legal matters adds an enormous weight to an already unbearable situation.
The family’s decision to reach out publicly reflects both the urgency of their needs and the trust they have in the community their mother spent a lifetime building.
For anyone wishing to contribute or simply share the campaign, it can be found at GoFundMe under “Support for Lisa’s Family After Tragedy.”
