GREENWOOD
Harold W. Laut, Jr., the only child of Harold W. and Emma (Riensche) Laut, left this world on 16 September 2024 and has gone home in the arms of Jesus. Born in Indianapolis on 11 February 1933, he was baptized 12 March 1933 and confirmed 14 April 1946 at Emmaus Lutheran Church, graduated from Emmerich Manual High School and attended Butler University before being called to service during the Korean War. Harold served at a secret Army base in Texas in the Special Weapons Unit 8462 of the Atomic Energy Commission, from September 1953 to September 1955.
Upon his honorable discharge, Harold returned to Indianapolis. A date was arranged by his parents for him to meet Janet Hoffmark, the daughter of their friends, when he returned to civilian life. Their first date was the 1955 movie “The Tender Trap,” an apropos film as they continued to date and married at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on 1 September 1956.
Harold started his work career with the Mechanical Trades Corporation, then took a position with Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company, helping install their first mainframe computer. Harold remained with Grain Dealers for the rest of his career, eventually retiring as First Vice-President and Treasurer, and Board Member. He also was the representative of Grain Dealers to the trade association, Mill Mutual, for many years.
He was involved with several organizations over the years: Financial Executives Institute, Southport Jaycees, Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, the Indianapolis Liederkranz, and was exceptionally proud of his fifty years singing with the Indianapolis Maennerchor, of which he served as president from 1976 to 1978 and 1982 to 1983. He was active in his church congregations, serving on the building committee of Concordia Lutheran and as treasurer of Calvary Lutheran. He and Janet took full advantage of their retirement years traveling to Europe, especially Germany to visit distant family members, and extended winter vacations to Tucson and Hilton Head.
Harold is survived by his wife of 68 years, Janet; two sons William (Christina) and John (Molly) and grand-children, Johanna, Fritz, and Anton Laut, Emma, Elizabeth (Kelly) Laut, Shayla (Joseph) Bem, Isabel (Andrew) Hoover, and great-grandson Maverick Hoover.
Calling will be Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at Wilson St. Pierre, 481 W Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana, from 3:00 to 7:00. Service will be at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1224 Laurel Street, Indianapolis, Indiana on 25 September 2024 at 11:00, with the Rev. Kurt Ebert officiating and calling an hour beforehand. There will be a family-only committal service at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, where Harold will join his ancestors and other family members, who first came to the United States in 1845.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests if so moved, memorial donations be made to the Hoffmark-Laut Music Endowment Fund at Calvary Lutheran Church
