Loretto Claire Armbrecht

MONONA - Loretto Claire Armbrecht, age 89, of Monona, passed away on April 30, 2025, at Columbus Health and Rehabilitation.

Claire Laughnan was born August 9, 1935, in Madison and lived on Mandan Crescent for a brief time as her mom, Lauretta, wanted to live closer to Blessed Sacrament Church. Her wish was her dad, Carl’s, command so he built her a home on Cherokee Drive. Church was Claire’s life, and she spoke highly of the nuns who had taught her. She was the baby of the family but make no mistake, she wasn’t treated as such. In fact, just the opposite, the biggest tomboy out there. Of all the sports she played her favorite was baseball. All the stories she’d share were fun to hear as mind you, back then this was a time where girls weren’t allowed to play sports. So all this took place at the parks or the school playground. Yes, she struck a few balls into the windows of Blessed Sacrament. But my favorite stories are the ones of her driving her dad to Mississippi to their farm they owned.

Claire was extremely talented in drawing and was excited to teach art one day once she attended Milwaukee School of Art where she was accepted as a senior of the Edgewood High School. Later, to find she did pass on these wonderful talents onto several generations. But then life took a huge turn on the day of graduation in 1953- she met the love of her life, Roy “Bud” Armbrecht Jr., while cruising East Washington. Of course his car was what caught her eye and the rest is history.

They were married November 19, 1955, at Blessed Sacrament Church. Yes, you read that correct- during deer hunting season but he still was able to get away every year. They came back from their honeymoon to settle down in Monona to start a family. The honeymoon baby was born August 17, 1956- Stephen “Steve.” Then had another boy June 4, 1959 - Philip “Phil.” Family became her life then although she did have a horrible bout with psoriasis that became debilitating much of the boys’ childhood. Being always at the hospital for treatments they ended up recruiting her at 32 years old and she became a lifetime volunteer of St. Mary’s Hospital. From working in the gift shop, to making the puff flowers to taking the new mom’s with their babies in a wheelchair to the car is where she could be found. She loved those pink smocks so much that she’d wear them around the house!

Another thing she loved was playing cards and was very competitive while playing. Bridge was her favorite past time, and she loved to host the gatherings since she was early married until almost the end. One story she loved to share was when she found out 17 years later after Philip was born that she became pregnant again at 40 years old. The bridge ladies were having a baby shower and Bud wanted to go so badly but they said no, only ladies. That didn’t stop him- he walked down the basement stairs of the hosts home in heels, hose, wig, dress and even carried a purse to be able to attend. They all looked at each other wondering who this was until they got a better look and the 5 o’clock shadow gave it away. On June 16, 1976- Lauretta “Laurie” was born.

Life then became a world of shopping for Claire; after all, girl’s clothes are way more fun then boys. Even into her high school days Claire enjoyed this. Claire mainly worked as a homemaker although she did dabble in some office work from home positions. Another one of her talents was playing the piano. She loved playing all the time and we all loved to listen to her play. She was so sad when she could no longer play due to her rheumatoid arthritis.

On November 19, 2005, Claire and Bud celebrated 50 years of marriage. They renewed their vows with a blessing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona. On April 18, 2015, Bud passed away just shy of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. But Claire still receives flowers from Bud every year after. She so missed him and we are sure that they have been reunited in heaven. On December 6, 2022, mom moved out of her home that she knew of 67 years to go to assisted living. Life wasn’t the same for her after that as then she moved into Columbus on December 23, 2023. Thank you for all the care, love and patience that you have given her. We have appreciated all that you have done to make her feel like she was at home. Thank you Bristol Hospice for all the care and time to make her feel comfortable through this time.

Left to cherish her memory is Steve (Mona) Armbrecht of Sun Prairie, Phil Armbrecht of Windsor and Laurie (Josh) Bell of Hillsboro; nine grandchildren: John Boyd, Tom Boyd, Craig (Alicia) Armbrecht, Renee (Corey) Rutter, Nicole (Derek) Rauls, McKenzie Bell, Hayden Bell, Zachary Bell and Megan Bell; 10 great-grandchildren: Declan Boyd, Liam Boyd, Gabriel and Raurie Armbrecht, Bryce and Breckstyn, and Connley and Colsyn, and Holdyn Rutter and Parker Rauls. Claire is survived also by many nieces and nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Laughnan and Lauretta (Thompson) Laughnan; her husband, Roy “Bud” E Armbrecht, Jr.; her in-laws, Roy E Armbrecht, Sr. and Helen (Kemmer) Armbrecht; sister, Sharanne (Les) Endres; brother, Bill (Jackie) Laughnan; and grandson, Corey Boyd.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery on Regent Street in Madison.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420