Laura J. Panning, age 99, of Toledo, passed away October 17, 2023 at Genacross Wolf Creek in Holland, OH. Laura was born March 2, 1924 in Ridgeville Township, OH. to Carl and Esther Otte.
Laura remembers being in church when the attack on Pearl Harbor was announced. When her brother, Arnold went to serve his country, Laura took his place working the farm. She graduated Ridgeville High School, Class of 1942. She married Raymond Panning, a WWII POW, on April 6, 1947. He died on February 7, 1977.
Laura was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church where she volunteered 20 years as church secretary. She also volunteered in the gift shop at Wolf Creek. She kept the books of her husband’s and his brothers’ building companies.
Laura blessed various generations of her family with handmade quilts, afghans, clothing, dolls, teddy bears and knitted hats. There was rainbow jello for every occasion. And she could still win at gin rummy, her favorite card game.
Laura and Ray were blessed with five girls, Vivian Nelson, Diana (Gary) Krieger, Lucinda (Rex) Palmer, Deborah (Larry) Shimel and Mary Ann (Terry) Foos. There are 13 grandchildren: Jeanne, CJ, Rebecca, Renata, Megan, Jillian, Daniel, Kathryn, Michael, James, Christopher, Phillip and Teresa. There are 20 great-grandchildren.
Laura was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and granddaughter, Meridith.
The family will receive guests Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am at Concordia Lutheran Church, 3636 S. Detroit Ave Toledo. The Funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Mapus officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Concordia Lutheran Church in Laura’s memory.
