Laura Kay Kaffenbarger

Laura Kay Kaffenbarger

January 1, 1944 – February 17, 2025

Laura Kay Kaffenbarger, 81, of Springfield, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on February 17, 2025. Born on New Year’s Day in 1944 to the late Norris and Mary Sanders, Laura’s life was a testament to faith, devotion, and service. She embodied love, grace, and unwavering dedication to her family, her community, and her deeply held Christian beliefs.

A Life of Love and Dedication

Laura was a devoted wife, sharing 62 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Carl Wayne Kaffenbarger. Together, they built a strong foundation of faith, love, and resilience, raising their children—Renee, Mark, Shelly, and Amy—with kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support. Her influence extended across generations, as she cherished her role as a grandmother to Lauren (36), Brian (32), Zyrian (31), Kristen (29), Heather (26), Melissa (24), Jonathan (22), Daniel (20), Thomas (19), Emma (17), and Hannah (14), and as a great-grandmother to Clayton (7). She was preceded in death by her infant grandson, Joshua, whose memory she carried with her always.

Faith and Service

Laura’s love for the Lord was the cornerstone of her life. A member of North Hampton Community Church, she dedicated over 50 years to teaching Sunday School at several locations, nurturing the faith of young children and instilling in them the love of Christ. She had a remarkable ability to connect with toddlers teaching with patience, joy, and an ever-present twinkle in her eye.

Beyond her church, Laura was a passionate environmental advocate, deeply committed to protecting the natural beauty of Clark County. She was the co-founder of cf/WATER, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving the Clark County watershed, ensuring that future generations would benefit from clean and protected natural resources. She believed that stewardship of God’s creation was a sacred responsibility, and she worked tirelessly to raise awareness and implement change.

A Legacy of Strength and Compassion

Laura’s presence was one of unwavering love and support. She was a compassionate listener, a source of wisdom, and a pillar of strength for her family and friends. She had the rare ability to make everyone feel heard, valued, and loved, offering advice with gentleness and humor.

Her patience was legendary, as was her ability to adapt to life’s challenges with grace and resilience. She fostered independence and confidence in her children and grandchildren, encouraging them to pursue their passions and embrace their faith. Whether demonstrating her passion for art, offering words of encouragement, comforting those in need, or guiding others with quiet strength, Laura exemplified what it meant to be a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, and friend.

Celebrating a Life Well-Lived

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at North Hampton Community Church, 110 Community Drive, North Hampton, Ohio. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM, officiated by Pastor Jim Welch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Hampton Community Church or the Springfield Pregnancy Resource Clinic, causes dear to Laura’s heart. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at trostelchapman.com.

While Laura’s physical presence will be deeply missed, her love, faith, and unwavering kindness will live on in the hearts of those she touched. Her legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and an unshakeable devotion to her faith and family.

Her favorite verse, Proverbs 31:25, beautifully encapsulates the life she led:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

Rest in peace, dear Laura. Still in love after all this time. Your love and light will never fade.