Obituary for Louise Gelmers

Louise Gelmers

October 5, 1930 – November 26, 2023

Louise Gelmers was born October 5, 1930 at Ruby Hospital in Ponca City, the daughter of Luther and Henrietta Ferguson. She grew up on the family farm north west of Ponca City until 1942 when they moved to Ponca City. She attended elementary school at Fairview District 57. She finished her education in the Ponca City Public School System graduating from Po-Hi in 1948. She attended St. John’s Lutheran College in Winfield, KS. She married the love of her life, A. Lloyd Gelmers, on August 12, 1951 at First Lutheran Church in Ponca City. Louise and Lloyd had three children, Christy, Andy and Julie.

Louise worked at the Jaqua-Shriver Ins. Agency for two years before she went with her husband to New Jersey while he served in the U. S. Army. Upon returning to Ponca City, Louise worked as the secretary of Lincoln Elementary School for 27 years. She enjoyed being the secretary for 7 principals and many teachers. She loved the hundreds of children who attended Lincoln throughout the years. Louise retired in 1994.

Louise was an active member of the First Lutheran Church for her entire life. She taught Sunday School. She was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Lutheran Women’s Guild. She also enjoyed serving on the Altar Care Committee for many years.

She loved her three children very much. For the first 11 years of her retirement, she traveled between Ponca City and Oklahoma City to care for her daughter, Christy, through her battle with breast cancer until Christy lost the battle in 2005. Louise loved her six grandchildren and she was very proud of their accomplishments. She gave the biggest smile when she met her great-grandson Ethan Elliott for the first time and whenever she saw a picture of him. Louise loved having the family get-togethers at her house, especially the family Christmas Eve party. She was famous for her banana bread, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and date cookies.

She was also know for making sure there was always more than enough food at every family dinner. The family enjoyed making jokes about her making too many scalloped potatoes. She enjoyed collecting Hummel figurines, Frankhoma pottery, swanky swigs, and other antique glass dishes. She learned to enjoy watching college and professional sports on television with her husband Lloyd. Later in life she cared for her husband while he struggled with Parkinson’s. After his death, she fought her own battle with Parkinson’s Dementia until her death on November 26, 2023

She is survived by her son Andy Gelmers and wife Cindy of Tulsa, and her daughter Julie and husband Neal Lawrence of Ponca City, her six grandchildren Steven Elliott and partner Michael Duhan of Austin, TX, Robert Elliott, and wife Amanda of Dallas, TX, Alex Gelmers of Tulsa, Megan Gelmers of Oklahoma City, Britany Lawrence of Ponca City and Andrew Lawrence of Boulder, CO, one great-grandson Ethan Elliott of Dallas, TX, her Sister-in-law Kathryn Ferguson of Madison, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Luther and Henrietta Ferguson, her husband A. Lloyd Gelmers, her daughter Christy Elliott and husband Ken Elliott, her brother Lewis Ferguson and wife Sue Ferguson, and her brother Donald Ferguson.

Trout Funeral Home of Ponca City is in charge of the arrangements. Family visitation will be at Trout Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 29 from 4-6pm. Funeral services will be at First Lutheran Church on Thursday, November 30 at 10:30. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 10:15 AM.

Casket bearer’s will be her grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church radio fund. We invite you to leave a message of condolence or share a memory of Louise at www.troutfuneral.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home