Helen Alma Laughlin

Helen Alma (Fischer) Laughlin, 91, of Tulsa, OK, passed away with family by her side on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Hillcrest South Hospital in Tulsa, OK.

She was born to John Henry and Caroline Hulda (Goldammer) Fischer on March 28, 1931, in Lohman, Missouri at the Fischer farm which was in the family since the mid 1800s.

She was valedictorian of the 1950 class of Russellville High School.

Helen learned about a man named Rev. Walter George Laughlin through their work in the ALC Parish Education Committee and went on a blind date as a result.  They went bowling.  They united in marriage on April 11, 1964, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman, MO.

Before marriage she enjoyed traveling with friends around the USA and was the fun aunt to her dear nieces and nephews.  During this time she contributed to the establishment of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jefferson City.  She was employed by the Cole County Library, Mitzie’s Hat Shop, the Missouri Division of Employment Security, and GMAC.  She was also employed at True Value in Hampton, NE, and various other places.

She was a partner in ministry with Walter at parishes in Cushing and Oklahoma City, OK, Dannebrog, Hampton, and Byron, NE, and Concordia, KS.  She participated in the life of the church at St. Paul’s in Lohman, Trinity in Topeka, Kansas, and Joy Lutheran in Tulsa, in addition to the above parishes and was involved in quilting, bible study, WELCA, Sunday school, volunteering, and choir.  Walter and Helen launched a community garden at Trinity.

Helen was a skilled and creative gardener and seamstress.  She shared her knowledge and fruits of her labor and tenacious work ethic with her children, grandchildren, and others.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Walter Laughlin, Tulsa, OK; three children, Stephanie (Michael) Mueller of Tulsa OK, John Laughlin (Julie Suhr) of The Plains, OH, Michele (Bob) Peck of Waterloo, IA, six grandchildren: Elsa Mueller (Anthony Filipas), Greta Mueller, Alane Suhr (Austin Alexander), Meredith Suhr, Alison Peck, and Ryan Peck, and one sister, Viola Gordon of Sedalia, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Nelda (Oscar) Strobel, Norma (Delbert) Liescheidt, and Donald Gordon.

Visitation will be 3-4 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman, MO with funeral service at 4 p.m. and burial at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, officiated by Pastor David Viles.  The family encourages those attending to wear a mask.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville. trimblefunerals.com