Elaine Lauf

Elaine Lauf, 83, of Napoleon, Ohio died Saturday, March 26, 2022 peacefully at home with her husband by her side. Elaine was born October 19, 1938, to the late Edwin and Genevieve (Dangler) Gerdeman. On June 23, 1962, she married Robert Lauf at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon, Ohio. They were happily married for 59 blessed years. Elaine was a faithful catholic and a lifelong member of St. Augustine Parish, where she especially enjoyed helping with the Annual Christmas House. She attended Liberty Center Schools through tenth grade and then graduated from Napoleon High School in 1956. She went on to attend St. Vincent's School of Nursing, graduating in 1959. She was a dedicated and caring Registered Nurse for more than 30 years, starting her career at Heller Memorial Hospital in Napoleon and then at Defiance Hospital. There she was the night House Supervisor until she retired in 1996. Elaine was very proud of her kids and grandkids and enjoyed watching them participate in sporting events, especially cheering on the Wildcats, Rockets and Gray Wolves. She received a great amount of joy watching her grandkids splash around her pool and watching them grow up throughout the years. More than anything, Elaine loved spending her time with her family and friends. Elaine enjoyed planting flowers, shopping and rooting for her beloved horse Cinder Best. She will be remembered lovingly by family and friends for her amazing cooking and entertaining skills, as well as never letting anyone go home hungry. She is survived by her husband Bob; sons, Jeffrey (Julie) Lauf, John (Amy) Lauf; grandchildren, Ryan (Meghan) Lauf, Jenna (Chris) Moden, Sara (Will) Gilson, Kristen (Aaron) Gamble, Jordan (Quincy) Lauf, Brett (Emily Drenth) Lauf; great- grandchildren, Miles and Addison Lauf, Luke and Emma Moden, Emerson and Stella Gilson, Ace and Kingston Gamble and Collins Lauf. Also surviving are Elaine's sisters; Jean Westhoven, Dorothy Walker, Susie (Tom) Snyder and her brother Thomas (Jeanne) Gerdeman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Jim Westhoven and Terry Walker. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM. Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Napoleon, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church or a charity of your choice. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

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Elaine Lauf

October 19, 1938 - March 26, 2022