Laura Ann Gelbuda

1979 - 2024

Laura Ann Gelbuda
Born: August 23, 1979 in Ottawa, IL
Died: October 22, 2024 in Maywood, IL
Laura Ann Gelbuda, of Mundelein, IL, formerly of Ottawa, 45, died on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 of complications from lymphoma and kidney failure. She is survived by her mother, Mary Ellen Gelbuda; sisters, Mary Beth (Mark) Maziarz, Dena (Brad) Schmitt, Susan (Matt) Thompson; brothers, Billy Gelbuda and Chris (Amber Worrick) Gelbuda; nephews, Scout Maziarz, Foster Maziarz, Quinn Schmitt, Griffin Klear-Gelbuda, and Brady Thompson; and niece, Ashton Thompson.
Laura grew up in Ottawa, where she attended St. Columba/Marquette Academy and Ottawa High School before attending college at the University of Texas (Austin). Actively involved in music, art, and writing all through her childhood, she added athletics to the mix by joining the crew (rowing) team while in Texas.
Being tall, bold, and striking, Laura had a seemingly effortless ability to attract attention. In her first month at UT, she was approached by producers of the Montel Williams Show, who invited her to fly to NYC for a show about secret crushes. Although her 'crush' didn't prove to be a love connection, they had a good laugh about the show and both enjoyed their free trip. This was the first of many of Laura's brushes with celebrity; over the years, she shared many fun stories about the people she met along her adventures, including people like her one-time employer, Marc Katz (Katz's Deli), and friend, Jim Peterik (singer/songwriter of the rock band Survivor).
Laura was especially kind to the very young and the very old. "Aunt Lola" was always playful, engaged, and generous with her young niece and nephews as well as her many friends' children. As an assistant in her father's Optometric practice for several years, she also went out of her way to tend to the needs of older patients, and just showed exceptional patience and caring toward elderly folks in general. This led to her most recent job – one she truly loved – as a devoted eldercare assistant to a widower with health challenges in Buffalo Grove, IL.
Although Laura was lively in social circles, she also had a deeply solitary side in which she tirelessly pursued her creative passions. In recent years, her avid love of painting and artmaking lead to multiple showings in local art shows and festivals. She could imagine artistic potential in any object, including materials that many people would have discarded without a second thought. Her collecting habit was sometimes a point of contention, but a tendency she saw as merely part of her artistic sensibilities – a natural resistance to letting go of items that might someday be useful or perfect for an upcoming piece.
Laura faced some incredibly difficult challenges throughout her life, including the death of her only son, Landon Richard, as an infant and the life-threatening liver disease that led to a liver transplant in 2021. Still, she sought to be positive and enthusiastic about life, always looking to bright opportunities of the future and energetically supporting the ideas and projects of those she loved.
Visitation will take place at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa on Thursday, November 7th, from 2 to 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 8th at St. Patrick's Church.
Memorial offerings may be directed to the Family. Remembrances may be chronicled at caringbridge.com/lauragelbuda
Laura is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Richard J. Gelbuda, and son, Landon Richard Gelbuda.
"Dance with the butterflies, sister golden-hair surprise – your threadbare gypsy soul has now been freed."