Lauramae Diehl, age 86, a current resident of Portage and formerly of Cherokee Village, Arkansas and Riverdale, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2011. She was born on August 9, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of Harry and Alice Smidt. . She was married to John George Diehl in June of 1943. Lauramae was a restaurant owner and waitress. She was a member of Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department Auxillary. As a breast cancer survivor she participated in "Casting for a Cure". Her great joy was fly-fishing in Missouri, was an avid golfer, loved gardening, china painting, and quilting.

Lauramae is survived by her loving family; daughter Jeanne (Mark) Benson, Pueblo West, Colorado, son John (Judith) Diehl, Wheatfield, Indiana, 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, brothers Harry "Bud" Smidt, Chicago, Illinois, and Robert Smidt, Michigan City, Indiana, and other loving family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John George Diehl, son Jerry Allen Diehl, sisters Ann Rissley, Winfred Gilbey, and Frances Kolloway.

A memorial visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Rees Funeral Home – Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, with a memorial service following at 2:00 pm. A burial of cremains at Homewood Memorial Gardens will follow at a later time. Memorials in Lauramae's memory may be made to either the Susan G. Komen Association for the Cure or to the American Heart Association. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.