Lois G. Lauffenburger

Lois Geraldine Lauffenburger, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed from this life into our loving God's heaven, on August 30, 2021 at the age of 93. She was born on November 25, 1927 to Frederick and Anna Laura (Lohbauer) Ottinger in a hospital in Elgin, Illinois after her mother had eaten Thanksgiving dinner with family.

Lois’ parents lived and worked in the city of Elgin, but shortly after her birth they moved to a farm and Lois lived there until her marriage. Lois was the oldest of 5 children, and her closest sister had Epilepsy. Lois cared for this sister and a younger brother from a very young age while her mother was busy on the farm and with the other children. At age 13 Lois had a bicycle accident while racing with her brothers. The accident crushed her hip and resulted in a lifetime of surgeries and pain. Lois won the Home Economics Award and Business Award at high school graduation at age 16; she went on to graduate from Chicago’s Gregg Business College 1-year secretarial program in 6 months. Lois married Harold Lauffenburger, who she met when he worked as a helper on her father's farm, on June 19, 1948.

Lois' first job was working for the Registrar of her high school when she was a junior. Throughout her life she worked as a secretary for many different companies, making it possible for Harold to get his BS and MBA degrees in the early years of their marriage.

Lois was an excellent seamstress and avid quilter, a voracious reader, and a great cook. She loved music and enjoyed singing in the church choir and spent several years as a volunteer with the Longmont Police Department. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lois is preceded in death by her husband Harold and is survived by her loving family; daughters Sandra Kay Lauffenburger (Ian Warden) and Nancy Laura Ritter (Dennis); sons Douglas Alan Lauffenburger (Linda Griffith) and James Harold Lauffenburger (Cindy); grandchildren Kimberly (JT), Rebecca, Philip (Mia), Amy, Julie, Wendy, Brian (Colleen), and Kevin; and great-grandchildren Sophia, Corinne, Jasper, Duane, Rudi, Leo, Nora, and Madelyn.

She is also survived by brother Lester Ottinger (Joyce) and sister Carol Ann Sochacki (John), and preceded in death by sister Marilyn Ottinger and brother Frederick Ottinger.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.