Jennifer Lauer Obituary
Born in March 1963 in San Jose, California, Jennifer was the youngest of five children to Jackie and Tom Lauer. She earned a degree in psychology from UC Santa Barbara, where she also met her lifelong partner, Sherri Moore. Married for 38 years, the two were a perfect team, balancing each other beautifully. Together, they raised three amazing children and recently welcomed three grandchildren.
Jen lived with uncompromising style, speed, and passion. She loved biking, wakeboarding, skiing, racket sports and the Steelers. She never shied away from a strong opinion or a good debate. She was bold, funny, and smart. She recently came out as transgender and began living fully as herself in the final year of her life. This chapter brought with it both happiness and challenges. While she faced rejection and hatred from some, she met her truth with grace, humour, and the same relentless energy she brought to everything else. She became a proud advocate for LGBTQ rights, speaking openly about her journey.
She never stopped loving fiercely. She never stopped learning. And she never stopped showing up - for her partner, her children, her grandchildren, and her community.
She is survived by her devoted partner, Sherri; their children Shaun (Ashlee), Karly, and Ally (Steven); their grandchildren Cooper, Logan, and McKenna; and her chosen family, best friend, sidekick, and other half Jon Ostberg, his wife Megan, and their children Nolan and Maddi.
Jen left this world mid-game, mid-life - far too soon, but fully herself.
She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered as the absolute force of nature and the legend that she was. A private memorial will be held by family later this year. You can honor her by donating to Pride Foundation https://secure.givelively.org/donate/pride-foundation
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
22 Entries
Lynn Pearson
Yesterday
I was saddened to hear about Jennifer. We met last year and found her to be kind, generous, open and honest. Just mentioning that my grandson was coming for a visit she offered supplies. Our community will be missing a lovely and lively member.
Jane Fliesbach
Yesterday
This is such sad and shocking news. I am so sorry, Sherri, for your and your family's loss. She was much too young. She will be missed at Chaparral.
Delia Liquori Goode
September 21, 2025
I was deeply saddened to hear about Jennifer´s unexpected passing. I had the privilege of meeting her a few times, with the first being when Jennifer and Sherri attended my Open House while searching for condos in our club. I´m so glad she found a place she liked and became a part of our community, instantly making many friends along the way. Her bright, welcoming smile and friendliness always stood out, and she will certainly be missed by all who knew her.
My thoughts are with Sherri and her family.
Mark W Netzen
September 21, 2025
Dear Sherri
We send our deepest condolences to you and your family. Jen will be so missed on court with us this season. She always lit up the court with her smile and energy. She was always helping me to better my game. I appreciated her coaching and guiding me
Mark Netzen & Tommy Nolasco
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Peggy Molloy
September 20, 2025
I met Jennifer on the pickleball court at Chaparral. She was a fierce competitor, a patient coach, quick with a smile and a laugh. She will be missed.
Mick
September 20, 2025
We will miss you
Annette S
September 20, 2025
I just met you and was looking forward to playing against you and with you on the pickleball courts. Such a fierce player!! You will be very missed.
Annette
Sharon Maloney
September 20, 2025
Wow - I am so shocked and truly devastated to hear this news. I played pickleball with Jennifer at Chaparral and she was so genuine in her authenticity to help people become better players. We enjoyed the game as well as the competition so much. She was an absolutely amazing person with a warm heart and the best smile. She would light up the courts or any room with her presence. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family through this sad time. She will be missed but never forgotten. See you on the next pickleball of life Jennifer.
Xoxoxo
Sharon Maloney
Lori VanSkyhock
September 20, 2025
This type of unexpected news always rips you . . . I just met Jen at the start of 2025 on the pickleball courts at Chaparral Country Club and immediately noticed her strength, confidence, and of course her impeccable wardrobe. I applaud you Jen for who you were and what you stood for. I hope you are smashing it on the heavenly courts. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Kim Armstrong
September 20, 2025
Dear Sherri and family. I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Jennifer. I met her while playing pickleball at Chaparal, while visiting my parents a couple of times. She brought such energy, kindness, and joy to the game and the people around her. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. - Kim Armstrong
Peggy Molloy
September 20, 2025
Jennifer was a wonderful member of our Chaparral pickleball family. She was a fierce competitor, a supportive coach, and quick with a smile and a friendly spirit. We will miss her.
Kit Sargent
September 20, 2025
I was sorry & shocked to hear of Jennifer´s passing. I was one of the first people she met at the chaparral country club pickleball courts. I was there her first day & we became instant friends. She was always so nice to me & would give me tips on pickleball. I was amazed at how good she was & how physically fit she was. Since she was new to chaparral, I invited her to our sunset social so she could meet our neighbors. I met Sherri there. They were putting in new floors in their house & invited me over to see, but sadly I never made it. My condolences to her family. RIP Jennifer. I will miss you at pickleball this upcoming season.
Kit Sargent.
Kay Garbizo
September 20, 2025
So very sad to hear this. I just met her last year at our Tuesday afternoon get togethers on the Chaparral Patio. My condolences to her family.
Joan Connolly
September 20, 2025
Jennifer was my pool buddy at #8 Chaparral Country Club in Palm Dessert, CA. So saddened by the news. To her family and partner, please accept my sincere condolences. Joan Connolly
Andre Cossette
September 20, 2025
Oh no! I was just talking with her about playing singles in pickleball. What a wonderful person!
Cherie Allbaugh
September 20, 2025
I am so deeply saddened to hear the news that Jennifer is gone. We met only last spring, playing pickleball of course. We shared fierce games, lots of laughs, and an occasional glass of wine and a nice meal. My heart is with your family during this sad time. I will miss her smile, her sense of humor, her compassionate heart and her willingness to say "yes" to life. May your happy memories help you through this hard time.
Karen Lehmberg
September 20, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear this news...Jennifer was such a joy. I enjoyed playing pickleball with she was always willing to be such a supportive coach and team player. She lived life to its fullest and will be missed.
Linda and Dan Bruce
September 20, 2025
Jennifer it was an honor to have known you. You will be forever in our thoughts. We will miss the joy you brought to everything you did. You have left us too soon.
Until we met again.
Pedro (Pete) Delgado
September 20, 2025
We met on the pickleball courts at Chaparral Country Club. This is where I met one of the most fun, athletic, and caring person. The one joke we shared with Jen is her love of beautiful tennis/ pickleball outfits. Always matching colors and a new outfit for every day.
I was joyful when I saw that Jen had joined our local Private Pickleball Club at PDR. So sorry I'll miss you Jen. Pedro.
Jennifer Jenson
September 18, 2025
Dear Sherri and Family,
My name is Jennifer Jenson. I had the honor of meeting your beloved Jennifer just about a year ago through a mutual friend at the Palm Desert Resorter Pickleball Club. What began as a chance meeting quickly became a friendship that I will cherish for the rest of my life. From the very first moment we stepped on the court together, something just clicked. We laughed, competed, and encouraged one another with ease and joy. Jennifer had such a vibrant energy. She was funny, fiercely competitive in the best way, and incredibly generous with her knowledge and time. Jennifer shared techniques with me from her tennis days and took time during her short visits to help me improve my game, especially my overhead smash. That was Jennifer, always lifting others up. But it wasn´t just her athleticism or kindness on the court that impacted me so deeply. It was her heart. In our time together, she opened up to me with remarkable honesty and vulnerability. She shared the challenges she faced, the strength it took to live her truth, and the deep love she had for her family, especially her grandchildren, who she told me continued to call her "Papa," lighting up every time she spoke of them. Jennifer spoke of each of you with so much pride and love. I want you to know that she was not alone in this world. She was deeply loved and respected by those who had the privilege to know her, not in spite of who she was, but because of it. She carried herself with a rare blend of courage and grace, even in the face of adversity. I saw firsthand how others could sometimes look at her with confusion or judgment and it broke my heart. But I also saw how she showed up anyway with kindness, strength, and an unshakeable spirit. I am a better person because of Jennifer. She opened my eyes and heart to experiences I hadn´t fully understood before. She taught me about resilience, authenticity, and the importance of creating safe spaces for others. She reminded me that true friendship transcends anything superficial. It´s about connection, trust, laughter, and love. I grieve with you. My heart is broken knowing I won´t hear Jennifer´s laugh again or receive one of her texts or warm hugs. But I also feel so lucky, truly lucky, to have had time with her, and to carry her memory with me. Every time I play pickleball, especially when I go for an overhead, I will think of Jennifer. I will continue to speak her name with pride and love. To her family, thank you for sharing Jennifer with me. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and she touched mine deeply.
With all my heart,
Jennifer Jenson
Rancho Mirage, CA
Karen Monroy
September 18, 2025
I´m heartbroken Jen is gone so soon. I was so happy for her new life, seeing her happy and determined to live and thrive as she should. Sending love and healing to all.
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