Anne W. LaPorte

Anne W Laporte born was born July 4th 1929 in Crailsheim, Germany. She had 2 brothers : Hans and Otto, 4 sisters: Friedal, Karin, Brigitta, and Berta. Her father, Willie Vorholzer was a violinist and a member of the German Poet Society. Her mother Walburga was a loving woman. The children grew up playing music, table bowling, card playing, bicycling, skiing, swimming, hunting for cherries, mushrooms and dancing. She was educated in a special school at 13 where she learned English and French, she also would sing in front of wounded German soldiers. Anne lived through the holocaust as a young girl (born the same year as Anne Frank) and witnessed bombings and destruction of her hometown and all of Germany.

Anne became a telephoner operator in her early twenties where she would speak English to American soldiers stationed in Germany. This is where she first met her husband Raymond. He was an American solider, he fell in love with her voice. Ray and Anne would go onto having a daughter, Charmaine, named after their favorite song. Charmaine was born in Crailsheim in 1954. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and she came 3 months premature weighing in at 1 pound. Anne and her daughter survived but Ray and her did not have any other children there after.

The three were then stationed in Rome, Italy where Anne was baptized Catholic. She would say, “Do as the Romans!” She lived in Rome for 4 years.

The family then moved to the United States

She worked as a personnel manager for 35 years at the PX in fort Benjamin Harrison, where she managed over 350 employees.

Anne later on lost her husband at the age of 61. She became a master gardener. Her garden was published in the newspaper several times. She started the damen choir at the Liederkranz in Indianapolis where she became the President. She organized and attended events at the German Fest. She loved theater, opera and ballroom dancing. She was a member of St. Maria Garretti and the Silver Angels. She loved parties and entertaining. She enjoyed bowling, playing tennis, hiking and swimming and skiing. She enjoyed taking her grandchildren to Turkey Run State Park and Lake Wisconsin in the summers.

Anne’s only Daughter, Charmaine (Germaine) passed away ten years ago. Charmaine’s daughter, Leith, her granddaughter became even closer. Spending their weekends together having sleepovers and seeing each other every week.

As Anne’s memory loss progressed she would often say, “Darling, how old am I?” Her granddaughter would say, “Grossmutti, you’re 91 years old!” Anne’s response would be, “No! How is that even possible!?”

Anne passed warm in bed with her family by her side. She lived an extraordinary life in which some of us only will ever read about in books. She taught us to laugh. She taught us kindness and compassion, but what she will leave behind are loving memories and a place in all of our hearts. Rest easy, sweet angel.

Anne is survived by her sister Karin and her grandchildren Leith and Paris.

Memorials may be given to 648 E. 52nd Street Indpls, IN 46205

The family of Anne Laporte wants to thank all of her friends from the bottom of her heart. St. Vincent’s hospice and st. Maria goretti.