Lauretta P Harder

HARDER, Lauretta 97, of Seminole, Florida, passed away January 21, 2016 at Seminole Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Services in Seminole. She was born February 13, 1918 in Chicago, Ilinois, the daughter of Walter and Marie (Wilson) Polacki.

Lauretta was an avid bowler beginning in her native Chicago. Lauretta’s mother, Marie Wilson, was a bowling proprietor and fostered Lauretta’s interest in bowling. Lauretta was a 1947 Charter Member of Les Dames de 700 where she served as vice president and sergeant-at-arms. She was also on a traveling bowling team that visited many cities and states in the Midwest and beyond.

In 1986, Lauretta was inducted in the Clearwater WBA Hall of Fame. Lauretta loved to travel. She went on a round the world trip with her mother which was one of her favorite experiences. She and her husband, Gil, traveled to almost every state in the US. Lauretta was also an avid Rays fan. She could be spotted on camera behind the Rays dugout at most Sunday afternoon games.

Later on, Lauretta volunteered at Palms of Pasadena Hospital in South Pasadena, Florida for many years and worked in the gift shop there. She also volunteered at the Hospice Re-Sale Store in St. Petersburg, Florida.Lauretta was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Seminole and a member of the Ava Maria Guild.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Loretta Gebraski, her nieces Susan Gosnell, Mary Ann (Tom) Romano, Joanne (Gerry) Poturoski, nephews Richard (Monica) Gebraski, Larry (Judy) Gebraski, David (Margo) Gebraski, and her friend, Claudia Sokolowski.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am Friday, February 5th at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Seminole, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lauretta’s name to Suncoast Hospice Foundation.

Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st St. Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.