Lauretta E. Voelz passed away at the age of 101 on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at Brookdale Senior Living. She was born July 6, 1915. She was the daughter of the late Louis J. and Genevieve E. (Thime) Voelz. She was born and raised in Kenosha and attended the public schools here. She graduated in 1933 from Kenosha High School and attended the vocational school which is now Gateway Technical College. She was a member of the Baha’i Faith to which she devoted her life. In January 1943, during World War II, she journeyed to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to assist in the development of an administrative unit in preparation for the formation on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada. She returned from Canada at the end of the war in September, 1946. One month later in October she was summoned to the National Baha’i headquarters in Wilmette, IL, to fill an emergency position in the Finance Department. She handled transactions in the construction of the famous Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, IL, as well as international transactions for the construction of Baha’i Houses of Worship in Kampala, Uganda, Africa, - Panama City, Panama, - Sydney, Australia, - Apia, Western Samoa, New Delhi, India, and Frankfurt, Germany. In addition, she handled financial transactions overseas in the construction of the Baha’i Gardens and edifices on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, Israel, such as the Shrine of the Bab, and the International Baha’i Archives Building. She held this position for the next 49 years. During those years she traveled to many places and visited the Baha’i World Center in the Holy Land four times. She retired in October, 1995 at the age of 80 and returned to Kenosha to spend the remaining years of her life. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Eldon, Paul and Vernon Voelz and one sister, Genevieve Kraai. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd, at Proko Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Green Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the charity of one’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetPhone: (262) 654-3533Visit and Sign Lauretta’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Robert Henderson
August 22, 2016
Dear Lauretta was precious to all us who knew her or knew of her. Loving, kind, humble, and steadfast as a rock--she was a cornerstone for the development of the American Baha'i Community, a true friend to thousands of Baha'is, and a shining example of integrity and devotion. Our prayers, admiration and gratitude are with her.
Robert Stockman
August 21, 2016
I am so saddened to hear of Lauretta's passing. She was a remarkable woman from the remarkable first generation of children of the first generation of American adherents to the Baha'i Faith. She was the second employee of the National Spiritual Assembly, so I have been told. I remember interviewing her mother about early American Baha'i history, with Lauretta's help, some 30 years ago. She was a special lady and will be richly rewarded in the Abha Kingdom.
Valerie Smith
August 18, 2016
Lauretta Voelz was an outstanding employee, and indeed servant, of the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette, IL. My condolences to her family on their great loss.
Ellen Aletha Parmelee
August 18, 2016
My memories of Lauretta are placed in those years when she served in the Treasurer's Office at the National Baha'i Office in Wilmette and then Evanston. Her life embodied the virtue of steadfastness and devotion: fifty full years of capable service. And her sense of humour delighted us all. In the earlier years when her office was in the building adjoining the House of Worship she would look up from her desk, struggling with the woes of handling the finances, and read the quotation above the door of that House of Worship and derive consolation: 'I have made death a messenger of joy to thee; wherefore dost thou grieve."!....Now she fully understands. We can not imagine the banners of light welcoming her after all these years of total dedication to service to the Cause of God and love of its divine institutions.53
Anna Resendiz
August 18, 2016
I became very close to Lauretta when we moved to Kenosha. And it was because of her we moved there from a year in China in 2007. She has been lika a grandmother to me. For the four years we lived there we had every Bahai gathering in her home. And after everyone one she would share her special memories with me of her life serving the Bahai Faith. One beautiful spring day I drove her around town and showed me and told me what happened when the Master visited her grandmother in 1912. I'm so glad I saw her in May and I am sure she is so happy to be in the Heavenly realms mow. She wanted Sweetscented Streams by Charles Wolcott sung or played at her funeral and Ala Homa.
Manuchehr Derakhshani
August 18, 2016
Such wonderful memories I have of working with her at the U.S. Baha'i National Center! She was a wonderful example for all of us.
Amy Renshaw
August 18, 2016
Lauretta's example of joyful service will live in my heart. She'll be in my prayers as she continues her spiritual journey in the worlds of God. Love to her family.
Hermien and Said Hoveydai
August 17, 2016
Truly saddened by the news. We have indeed lost a beautiful soul. There is no doubt that dear Loretta's soul is rejoicing in the Abha Kingdom. May The Blessed Beauty bestow everlasting grace and protection over all her loved ones! She will be missed and remembered in our prayers.
Erin Mae Kinghorn
August 17, 2016
My name is Erin and I'm a Bahá'í in Iceland. Caroline Juzenas visited Iceland the same year Lauretta turned 100 and told me so much about her. I felt an immediate connection, especially after Caroline told me that Lauretta used to work at the Bahá'í National Office in the US, because I am also the staffmember of the National Office in Iceland. It is hard to explain how one can feel connected to a person one has never met, but I did feel it and I hoped that one day I could meet Lauretta. Now, instead of meeting in this world, I can pray for her dear soul and know that we can meet in the next world.A source of inspiration, a friend yet to be met, you will always be in my prayers. May God keep your soul close dear Lauretta.
Bayan and Gabbi Deanparvar
August 17, 2016
We just heard of Lauretta's passing. She was very dear to our family, and will remain in our hearts and our prayers. Sincere condolences to the family. She was loved by many.Gabbi, Bayan, Iman and Noura Deanparvar