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Virginia Lauferski

September 5, 1929 - February 2, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, February 10, 2021
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263

Committal prayers at 3 PM with Fr. Edwin Carreno

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Holy Spirit Parish
2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-6369
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Virginia Lauferski was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend to many. A faithful person, there wasn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for someone in need. She lived her life fully and treasured her close relationships with her family. Virginia leaves behind many wonderful memories for her loved ones to cherish forever.

Reflecting on the 1920s, it was a period of time when industry was booming. Virginia Rose, and her twin sister, Mary Lou, were born on September 5, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. They completed the Sincock family along with their older brother William F, commonly referred to as Bill. Just a few weeks later the stock market crashed resulting in a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. Her birth gave her parents, William P. and Mary A. (Findish) Sincock much hope and happiness during trying times.

Despite her father’s hard work, the family lost their home during the Great Depression. They never were short on chores or labor during these lean times raising chickens and other animals including their dogs; Prince and Butch. Later the family relocated to the Grand Rapids area for job opportunities. Virginia never shied away from opportunities for herself and shortly after graduating from high school, she left for Washington D.C. to work at FBI headquarters. She had a strong work ethic and attention to detail, lending her to find many other jobs. After moving to Grand Rapids, she became a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone and then GMAC.

Bill invited Theo Lauferski, a fellow comrade in the Marine Corps, over for onion sandwiches, beer, and cards. Virginia, who was home at the time, was immediately smitten by Theo’s pleasant demeanor. Theo swept her off her feet! He was a good listener and showed interest in her from the moment they met. Dating for a short time before their St. Alphonsus ceremony on September 24, 1955, they were head over heels in love. The happy couple honeymooned in Miami and spent much of their early years traveling. Virginia and Ted fell in love with the Pacific Coast and the Canadian Rockies.

Once settled at 410 Fairfield Ave NW in a duplex Ted had built in the 1950s’, they welcomed two wonderful sons; Ted Jr. and Dave, who were their greatest joy. She and Ted were loving parents. Ted worked as a street Sargent for the Grand Rapids Police Department, affording Virginia the time to be home with their boys. As a family, they frequented Holy Spirit Church where they remained active members for many years. After Sunday Mass they would often have brunch at Granny’s Kitchen, catch a movie at the Majestic theater downtown, or go bowling at Lincoln Lanes Country Club. Sunday nights were savored for family time. Virginia was an excellent cook. Her favorite dishes were Pasties and homemade pizza. She also loved to bake. Even when her father (Sincock/Barnes construction Co.) was later building the college and hospital in Petoskey, MI he would always come back to town for the 3 PM Sunday dinner! She, Ted Sr., and the boys, later moved to their newly built forever home on Oakleigh Rd. NW in 1970 and made many lasting memories.

She managed the household and the large family garden and enjoyed canning and making grape and blackberry wine over the years. One-time Virginia was making wine and there was an explosion – maybe the batch were too close to the furnace? She was an avid music lover and enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Bing Cosby, and the Andrew sisters on the record player. Virginia was very busy in her boys’ lives often volunteering with their social events at Holy Spirit Church including hot dog and bake sales. She also managed the bowling league “Who’s Up”.

Soon the boys were grown and on their own. Ted left for college and Dave joined the Army. David was deployed to Desert Storm just one day before Thanksgiving, which was very hard on Virginia as she liked family around for the holidays. She was delighted when she and Ted Sr. later visited Dave in California and Alaska while he was stationed there. In the summer months, they would often go to Petoskey, Michigan to visit her father. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, but especially her family.

In 1985, their roles reversed when Virginia suffered a stroke. Enduring brain surgery and months of physical therapy at Mary Free Bed, she was able to get some of her mobility back. No longer able to cook, Ted Sr. retired from his job to care for her. The boys faithfully kept the 3 PM Sunday dinners a tradition by never missing a meal. Loyal to his sweetheart, every Thursday, Ted Sr. would take Virginia to get her hair done. Virginia settled into a routine of watching Sunday Mass on television and also watching Lawrence Welk. Reading the Grand Rapids Press kept Virginia abreast of the local and worldly happenings.

Sadly, Ted Sr. lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2004 leaving the boys to care for mom and the house. They took the very best of care of her for several years and were by her side when she passed. Described as always happy, cheerful, with a never-ending positive attitude, Virginia’s warm spirit will be deeply missed. She modeled a faithful life of being a great listener who loved her family unconditionally. May her loved ones always cherish their countless happy moments together and may her memories endure forever.

Mrs. Virginia Rose Lauferski, age 91, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on February 2, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theo Lauferski; brother, William F. Sincock; and sister, Mary Lou Schnabel. Virginia is survived by her two sons, Ted Lauferski Jr. and David Lauferski; and special nephews; Bill, Bob, and Rick Schnabel. A visitation time will be held with CDC guidelines of 25-person capacity maximum and masks required on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, from 2 to 3 PM, with committal prayers at 3 PM, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to Holy Spirit Parish. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to submit a favorite memory, photo or to sign the guestbook.

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