Mary Lucille Laughlin, daughter of Jens and Kathryn (Andersen) Sorensen, was born on June 17, 1921 in Audubon, Iowa. She entered into the arms of her Lord on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at her home in Shenandoah, Iowa surrounded by her family.
Her early life was spent growing up in the Atlantic, Iowa area. Lucille graduated from Atlantic High School and then attended the Mercy School of Nursing in Council Bluffs. After receiving her training, she worked at the hospital in Red Oak.
On January 26, 1944, Lucille was united in marriage to William Louis Laughlin in Atlantic. The couple made their home near Imogene, Iowa where Mr. Laughlin farmed. The couple had five children, Michael, Thomas, Elizabeth, Richard and Steven.
Following Mr. Laughlin's death on October 2, 1978, Lucille renewed her nursing license and worked at the Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah for many years.
Lucille was very active in her church, whether in Imogene at St. Patrick Catholic Church or in Shenandoah at St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a member of the women's guild, served as a Minister of Eucharist and as a lector. She also served on the Parish Council. Lucille loved gardening, playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, traveling and being with her family.
Preceding Lucille in death were her parents; husband, William Laughlin; son, Thomas Laughlin; sister, Lorene Sorensen and brother, Ronald Sorensen, brother-in-laws, Ralph Laughlin and Vern Lightfoot. She is survived by her children, Michael Laughlin and wife Linda of Imogene, Elizabeth Engelmeyer and husband Terry of Shenandoah, Rick Laughlin and wife Mary Jane of Sidney and Steven Laughlin and wife Peggy of Imogene; daughter-in-law Jean Laughlin of Rice Lake, WI; grandchildren, Michelle Killilea and husband Joe of Macon, GA, Kelly Willis and husband Jeff of Shelby, NE, Sarah Zinser and husband Roy of Yorktown, VA, Steve Engelmeyer of Omaha, NE, Jennifer Penglis of Kansas City, MO, Jason Garnatz of Ankeny, Iowa, Charlottte (David) Naylor of Layton, UT., Andy Garnatz and Matthew Engelmeyer, both of Kansas City, Mark Engelmeyer of West Des Moines, Kaymie Laughlin of Shenandoah, Marissa Schuster and husband Matthew of Omaha, NE, Nicholas, Ryan and Alex Laughlin of Imogene; great grandchildren, Gregory, Tim and Nathan Smith, Jacob, Emily, Claire and Aaron Willis, Bradley Engelmeyer, Logan Penglis, John Garnatz, Alexis Garnatz and Brayden Schuster; sister-in-law, Mary Lightfoot of Shenandoah, IA.;many other relatives and friends.