Laura Durham
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Laura Emma (Gerken) Durham, 95, of Bowling Green and formerly of Hamler, Ohio, passed away at Bowling Green Manor on February 13, 2022. She was born on July 31, 1926 to Henry and Ida (Rickenberg) Gerken of Freedom Township, Henry County, Ohio. She was baptized on August 22, 1926 and confirmed on March 17, 1940 at Hope Lutheran Church. She married the love of her life, Kenneth "Kenny" Durham on September 23, 1967, who preceded her in death on November 16, 2005.
Laura was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Hamler where she taught Sunday School for almost fifty years. She was a member of the Women of the Church where she acted as past president and stewardship secretary. She was also a member of Warren L. McIntire Legion Auxiliary and serving as a past president. She worked as a office manager at Damon and Damon Oil Company, a clerk for the city of Napoleon and secretary for the Henry County Commissioners. Laura had a strong relationship with God and relied by her faith every day. She had a passion for embroidery and enjoyed gardening and canning. She had a heart of gold and will truly be missed.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Ann (Ted) Porebski and granddaughter, Paige (Robert Reisig) Porebski. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband of thirty-eight years and siblings, Richard Gerken, Harold Gerken, Arnold Gerken and Anna Grimm.
Visitation will be held on February 17, 2022 at Snyder-Wesche-Hoening Funeral Home (830 N. Scott St.) of Napoleon from 2:30pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. Funeral services will follow on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Hope Lutheran Church (16 OH-18) of Hamler at 11am with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will immediately follow the church cemetery. Memorials in Laura's memory may be considered to Hope Lutheran Church- Building Fund, Henry County Transportation Network or Southern County Ambulance District. Friends are invited to share a memory of Laura and sign the online guestbook at www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.