Laura A. Raderstorf

The nurturing love and concern of a mother never ends, and so it was in the life of Laura Raderstorf. Laura was a devoted wife and mother to those entrusted to her care. She enjoyed time spent with her beloved family at every opportunity, and she did so with a love all her own. Deeply missed, her heart lives on in those she leaves behind.
By 1935, life was greatly defined by the trials of the Great Depression, yet Americans forged on with lasting hope. President Teddy Roosevelt was re-elected to a second term while Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire danced their way into the hearts of many. Born on June 4, 1935 in the city of Burlington, Vermont, Laura was the only daughter of Charles K. and Katie (Hosking) Jones. Laura grew up alongside her brother, Norman on their family farm in the quiet, farming town of Waitsfield, Vermont.
Growing up on the farm offered a young girl like Laura many opportunities for adventure. A close knit community, the picturesque landscape of the valley in which they lived along the Mad River was that of a picture postcard. Lauras parents ran a maple syrup business and during her youth Laura learned the value of hard work. She grew up milking the cows, tapping the trees for syrup, and other chores. Her mother was a homemaker along with her work as a nurse while Lauras father tended to their busy farm.
Laura often rode the draft horses her father used for farming which she particularly enjoyed. A lover of all animals, Laura especially favored dogs, but due to the potential danger dogs posed to their dairy cattle, dogs were a risk they avoided. Instead, Laura delighted in her many barn cats she played with as a child and she loved dressing her little playmates in doll clothes.
While World War II raged overseas during Lauras formative years, she attended the local schools. Although she did a satisfactory job in school, her fun-loving spirit was more interested in having fun and goofing around rather than attending to her Latin studies and other subjects. Even so, she went on to graduate from Waitsfield High School with the Class of 1953. Just months following her high school graduation, Laura felt the call to duty. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on October 6, 1953 in Manchester, New Hampshire during the Korean War. Even though she was never stationed overseas, the effects the war had on her comrades made an impact on Laura. She worked in a supply unit, and for her service during active duty wartime, Laura received the National Defense Service Medal.
Following her honorable discharge from the service on October 10, 1955, Laura met her good friend, Doreen Raderstorf while in Colorado, home of the U.S. Air Force Academy. One time on her way home to Vermont, Laura decided to stop by Doreens family home in Buffalo, Indiana where she was introduced to Doreens family, including her brother, Reuben. Later that same year, Laura and Doreen began rooming together in Lafayette, Indiana. The best of friends, through Lauras connection to Doreen, Laura and Doreens brother Reuben began corresponding to one another while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.
Upon Reubens discharge from the Navy, he and Laura began a whirlwind romance that found them deeply in love. They were happily married on November 13, 1960 in Jonesboro. Eager to begin a family, in time they were blessed with the births of five children, Charles, Kevin, Holly, Sue, and Alice. Nothing made Laura happier than making a good home for Reuben and their children. As longtime friends, Laura and Doreen shared a bond of closeness and as a sister-in-law, Doreen often described Laura as the sister she never had by birth.
Although Laura was the main disciplinarian, she raised her children with high values and completely trusted her children. It took much to even get her upset with them. Sometimes Laura used the line, "Wait until your father gets home!" especially the time she became so furious when the boys put their little sister in the freezer! One time one of the children removed all the labels from the canned goods, and when Laura asked who did it, she got five "not me" responses. She proceeded to line them all up and spanked each one of them. To this day, it remains a mystery and no one knows who actually took the labels off the cans! Laura detested spiders and snakes. Her daughter Alice had a fake spider and when Sue put it on her mothers pillow, all the kids had so much fun watching Laura trying to kill that spider!
Laura was a good cook and made many family favorites. The holidays were always an enjoyable time in their family, too. Quite talented in many respects, Laura made many of her childrens clothes when they were young. Each Easter she dressed her children in matching outfits complete with new shoes and for the girls, new drawstring purses and gloves. She loved sewing, crocheting, and needlepoint. Through the years she crocheted numerous afghans, shawls, and blankets. Nearly everyone in the family has a cross stitched Christmas stocking, Christmas ornament, or an Advent calendar made by her which are now priceless.
Memorable vacations were enjoyed as a family over the years. The year they went to Florida was the same time the movie, Jaws came out. Miserable with bad sunburns, they decided to take in the movie at the theater which gave them another reason for staying away from the beach for a time. Camping was a favorite pastime for Laura and her family and the tradition continued with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed trips to Holland, Michigan to see the flowers at Tulip Time, and a few of her grandchildren even came home from a trip there with wooden shoes.
Lauras grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. She defined the meaning of doting grandmother, and gave them anything they desired. The word "no" was seldom uttered from Laura when it came to her grandchildren. One time she even sneaked away with one of her grandsons for a long ski trip. Although they both knew he wasnt supposed to go, Laura took him anyway. It was quite interesting, especially since Laura wouldnt even drive herself to the grocery store.
In her free time Laura liked reading romance novels, and true military type hero stories, including that of the most recent rescue missions. She thoroughly enjoyed working on puzzles and over the years she had put together hundreds. Whenever she was finished with a book or puzzle, Laura often donated them for others to enjoy. She liked watching football and any team Peyton Manning played for whether it was the Colts or Broncos, and she was also an avid fan of Larry Bird. When it came to TV, Laura rarely missed her favorite shows like Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. With faith as her ever present guide, Laura for many years attended Lake Shafer Christian Center in Monticello where she was active in Joy Fellowship, the ladies ministry as well as a secret pal exchange participant.
Laura took life seriously with an almost business like outlook. She knew how difficult life could be, and she was always concerned for her family. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly, and could not imagine life without any of them. With a nurturing love, she sacrificed much for their benefit, and she would not have wanted it any other way. Even in the end, Laura asked the nursing home to make a phone call to reassure her everyone was okay. Lauras passion was found in her family. In her eyes, she lived a treasured life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Above all she cherished every moment spent surrounded by those she loved. Gone but never to be forgotten are the wonderful memories she leaves in the hearts of many.
Laura A. Raderstorf, 80, of Monticello, passed away at 7:16 pm, Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Lakeview Village in Monticello. Surviving are her children, Charles H. Raderstorf, Lt. Col. USMC, Ret. of Fairfax, VA, Kevin (wife, Lori) Raderstorf of Monticello, Holly D. (husband, Brett) Petrie of Burnettsville, C. Sue Robertson of Logansport, and Alice D. Vincz (companion, John Robertson) of Monticello; sister-in-law, Jewel Doreen Baxter of Monon; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reuben on January 3, 1999; and by her brother, Norman C. Jones.
Visitation will be from 11:00 am (ET) until the time of funeral services celebrating Laura's life at 1pm (ET), Monday, February 1, 2016 at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello, with Rev. Keith Raderstorf officiating. Burial will follow in Buffalo Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Lake Shafer Christian Center with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be extended at www.springerfuneralhome.com
Funeral Service Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home

Monday, February 01, 2016

202 S. Illinois St.Monticello, IN 47960
Directions Visitation Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home

Monday, February 01, 2016

202 S. Illinois St.Monticello, IN 47960
Directions