Lori Ann (Gierke) Laducer, 55, passed away at her home in Valley City, N.D., on August 30, 2025, surrounded by love while under the care of CHI Home Health and Hospice.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Connect Church in Valley City. Her funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed, then archived, and can be viewed on her tribute page along with her obituary and an online guestbook at www.lerudmathias.com.
Lori was born on May 20, 1970, in Valley City to Cheryl Gierke. She grew up in the Valley City area with a strong spirit, a warm heart, and determination that carried her through many challenges. From childhood, Lori lived with Type 1 juvenile diabetes, which brought many trials into her life but never dimmed her light. She will be remembered for her perseverance, faith, and her ability to hold onto hope in the hardest seasons.
She graduated from Valley City High School in 1988 and later attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College for medical coding. One of Lori’s greatest dreams was to be a mother, and that dream came true with the birth of her daughter, Kassandra Rose. Her life changed further when her longtime friend Naomi introduced her to the love of her life, Patrick Laducer. Lori and Patrick married on November 15, 1997, and made their home in the Fargo/West Fargo area, where they welcomed their son, Trenton.
Lori worked as a CNA, medical coder, and receptionist for several health care systems in Fargo. She loved reading, cooking, sewing, traveling, and capturing sunrises and sunsets with her camera. Food and cooking were her “love language,” and even in her final days she wanted to cook and share meals with others. She especially cherished time with her family, laughing, reminiscing, and being with her beloved granddaughters, Khloie and Hazel.
She was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in West Fargo. In 2017, Patrick and Lori moved back to Valley City to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Lori is survived by her husband, Patrick; her children, Kassandra (Nick) Yokom and Trenton Laducer; granddaughters Khloie and Hazel Yokom; her mother, Cheryl Gierke; sisters Charlotte Lindermann and Barbara (Keith) Case; and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wayne and Charlotte Komrosky; uncle Jon Komrosky; aunt Susan Olson; stepfather Lyle Grindahl; and step-grandparents Carl and Amy Grindahl.
Lori endured a long and complex medical journey, including a kidney transplant, a kidney/pancreas transplant, and she was awaiting a third kidney donation at the time of her passing. Even with all of life’s trials, she lived fully, carried hope until the end, and loved deeply. Her life was a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of love. Lori touched countless lives with her strength and determination, and her memory will live on in the laughter, compassion, and hope she inspired.