Obituary of Loraine Planert
Loraine Alice Planert passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025 in her 103rd year in her home at Luther Village on the Park Sunshine Centre, Waterloo.
She is reunited with her husband, travelling companion, and soulmate Robert (Bob) who predeceased her in 2010 and would be thankful that the Lord finally brought her home.
Loved and mourned by her sons, Glenn (Angela Arenberg) of Grand Bend and Gregg (Sumi Ghosh) of Calgary.
Deeply missed by her loving grandchildren; Ashley Nelissen (Andrew), Fletcher Planert (Olivia Boyd), Tiia Planert (Marc Heinz), and Joel Planert (Elfreda). Oma to six great-grandchildren: Aaden, Austin, and Anderson Nelissen, Brynne Planert, Grayson and Keaton Planert.
Loraine was born in Paris, Wisconsin on June 18, 1923 to Irma and Emil Runge. After spending her early years in Bristol, Wisconsin during the Great Depression, the family moved to Chicago. Growing up in that city, Loraine was an excellent student, was very active in her church, became back-up organist, wrote letters to soldiers from the church during WW2, met Bob and married in 1947.
Her boys, Glenn and Gregg followed and she became the glue that bonded her sports-centred family. Their friends loved coming over knowing mini-pizzas and other goodies were there.
In 1960, the family moved to Kitchener so Bob could continue making Planert Speedskates for Bauer Canada and Loraine began a career as school secretary at Smithson PS and Howard Robertson PS. She loved interacting with the little ones at the schools and often said that she had once wanted to become a teacher. As soon as she qualified, Loraine became a Canadian citizen and was proud of what the country had given her family.
In addition to being an amazing cook and baker, Loraine was also an accomplished ten-pin bowler. She continued to excel at this sport until the age of 92 when she retired when she felt she should. She simply put her personal bowling ball on the rack, tossed her shoes in the bin and went home to plan her next adventure.
Loraine was a faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kitchener for over 60 years, attending services until some health concerns arose. She remained steadfast in her faith and so appreciated Pastor Nolan Astley for his visits, prayers, and friendship.
She was a huge supporter of speedskating and the KW Sertoma Speedskating Club for decades, assisting at local skate meets whenever she could. Over the last 15 years, she became an avid Blue Jays fan, watching and re-watching every game, reciting details on all the players (EE was her all-time favourite). It seems fitting that she passed away on the day the Jays beat the Yankees after finishing in first place over the season.
She fell and broke her hip at age 96, had surgery and spent two months in hospital as she recovered. She moved within Luther Village to the Sunshine Centre just as the pandemic began and over the next six years recovered from Covid, falls, isolations, and finally palliative care. She was proud that her only “medication” was a daily multi-vitamin (and maybe a Tylenol) and was frequently annoyed that she had to rely on her walker (a.k.a. BlueJay) as her mobility lessened.
Loraine was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her older brother, Bob.
Our family extends our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Luther Village and to nurses Elysia, Janet, Christian, Eh Klo, Lauryn and all the PSWs that helped mom and spoke very loudly to her (she was very hard of hearing).
A gentle, quiet, and caring person, it is Loraine’s wish to have no fuss, so there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Donations in her memory can be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Kitchener or a charity of your choice through the Erb & Good Funeral Home at www.erbgood.com or by calling 519-745-8445.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”. Psalm 23:6