Death robbed the world of a truly loving heart and gentle spirit when Larraine passed away at her home the evening of June 13, 2011, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her deeply. While cancer may have won this battle, it was never able to rob Larraine of those attributes which enabled her to make the lives of those she came in contact with better.

Larraine was born on March 1, 1955 in Madison, the daughter of William "Bill" and Betty Gaedke. She happily spent the early years of her life living in southern California. Even after the family moved back to Wisconsin, Larraine retained strong ties to her California past.


Larraine was a person whose warmth gravitated love and in doing so she was blessed to be a member of multiple families. She was a deeply cherished member of the Gaedke family. The Horak family lovingly embraced her as its own on October 1, 1976 when she was united in marriage with John, her husband and soul mate.


Larraine was fortunate to have a number of jobs which she enjoyed during her working career including a position with the State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration in which she was able to save the state taxpayers more than $500,000 as a result of her contract administration management skills. Of all the jobs she enjoyed, she spoke fondly of being able to land her "dream job" when she joined the Sauk City Post Office in October 2005. Larraine spoke of the camaraderie shared by her co-workers there as having made her feel as if she had become part of yet another family.


Larraine was blessed with many talents at which she excelled including cooking and baking, stained glass and woodworking endeavors, an intense competitiveness during family game-playing and a love of gardening. While blessed with many talents, Larraine was most proud of her roles as wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed hosting family meals and just spending time with her family in the close loving environment she fostered.


Larraine is survived by her husband, John; daughters, Season and Elyse; and grandchildren, Samara and Chandler Horak. While her parents preceded her in death, siblings John (Janet) and Robert Gaedke, Diane (Joe) Zirger and Patrice Sevrain as well as her step-mother, Beverly Gaedke, survive her. Judy Hohneke, Rose and Jeff Davies, all of whom Larraine had formed a sisterly bond with through marriage also survive and mourn her passing as do a number of nieces and nephews and innumerable friends.


Larraine is also survived by her Post Office "family" which is comprised of Bill B., Peg, Wanda, Ron, Mark, Julie, Jackie, LaNell, Bill F., Donnie, Barb and Joe, whose gifts of laughter and support during her illness brightened many of her difficult days.


Throughout her illness, Larraine was blessed to have been under the excellent care of a number of dedicated health professionals affiliated with the UW Cancer Center, Dr. Khuu and the caring nurses of the Dean Health oncology unit, the staff of St. Mary's Interventional Radiology area and Home Health United Hospice services. A special thank you is extended to Emily Acheson for the exceptional nursing care she provided to Larraine. Then there were the dedicated but sleep deprived members of "Team Larraine" (Elyse, Season, Judy, Rose and Jeff) who maintained a continuous vigil since Memorial Day and were always there to attend to her needs as well as to provide love and support to Larraine during the times she needed it most. Also gratitude is extended to Father Jared Hood whose frequent visits provided spiritual guidance to Larraine and the family during this difficult time. Thanks to Rex and Bette Boss who were instrumental in bringing John and Larraine together and planted the initial seed which resulted in so many years of happiness and companionship and resulted in their two finest masterpieces, Season and Elyse. Finally, thanks to Larraine for LIVING and TEACHING the message "the love you give is equal to the love you receive".


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Sauk City, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2011 with Father Jared Hood officiating. Burial will follow in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Friends wishing to say farewell may call at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, 2011.