Lauren, born August 25, 1992, daughter of Angela and Patrick Winternheimer, chose to end her journey on this earth on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. She is survived by her son Levi (age almost 4); her parents, her brothers; Ryan, Matthew and Teddy, and her sister Madilyn; her maternal grand mother, Diane Tober; her aunts and uncles - Julie Gebhardt, Susie & Joe Marsh, and Tom & Melanie Winternheimer; and many cousins.
Lauren, with her brilliant smile and generous laugh, brought spontaneity and joy everywhere she went. She was vivacious, loyal, quirky and strong-willed, kind and determined, with a loving and adventurous spirit. She loved the outdoors, homemaking, gardening, hot and cold tea, dancing, thrifting, making people laugh, animals - especially horses, dogs, cats, raccoons, rabbits, and of course, foxes; but most of all - Levi. She was creative and unique, marching to the beat of her own drum. She was as comfortable in cowboy boots and jeans or a robe and slippers, as she was in a ball gown and heels. Lauren lived with passion, courage, and fierce independence. The epitome of a mama-bear, she was one of the most dedicated, selfless, hardworking and accomplished mothers whose ultimate desire was to give Levi the life he deserves. There wasn’t a person on Earth she didn’t have a smile to offer, an interest in knowing, or the heart to help. Everyone was a friend, and she left a memorable impression on every life she touched. She was happy go lucky, genuine, full of joy and light, and she spread all she had to those around her. Little did any of us know, she didn’t save enough light for herself. No one knew the darkness she faced when alone or the impossible standards she set for herself. Cherishing her privacy, Lauren didn’t discuss her demons with many others. Most did not hear of or see her insurmountable and all-consuming pain, or like us, couldn’t fathom it tearing her away from Levi. The realization that someone could so successfully hide in broad daylight, portray such strength and project as much tenacity as Lauren routinely did, left all who knew her shaken to their core.
It is impossible to prepare for the harsh reality of losing a loved one, especially a parent or child, at far too young of an age, but to lose Lauren in this way is unfathomable. It is a finality difficult to accept. It has left behind a desperate longing to understand the rationale behind her decision. Suicide is a complicated end that is compounded by a vast array of emotions and social stigma.
Somehow, Lauren believed we could live without her and much as her confidence in us to do so is a bitter pill to swallow, we will draw strength from her faith in us to carry on. We will carry her legacy with us – her determination, intelligence, strength and warmth, as well as her fears, her flaws, and her untimely death. We will carry her in her wholeness. We will see her in the face and mannerisms of Levi as he grows. We will heal, we will persevere, we will laugh, we will cry, we will thrive, but life will never be the same without our precious Lauren. She is so very sorely missed. We are a family who lives with joy and disappointment, sadness and love, trials and triumphs, laughter and tears; we remember, we tell stories, we pray, we hope, and most of all…we love. And we take comfort in knowing we will be together again one day and that our cherished girl has found her way to the comforting and healing arms of our Savior.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the GoFundMe account for her son Levi, which will be held in savings for his future. https://gofund.me/be985c26
Globally, one person takes their own life every 40 seconds, which is an epidemic of massive proportion, leaving virtually no family untouched. The ensuing recovery for families must find a balance between the crushing punches of sorrow, loss, guilt, regret, abandonment, betrayal, rage, doubt, shame, shock, blame, fear, and confusion and the light-filled promises of presence, love, and joy through our memories and the legacy left behind.
The desperation, pain and despair Lauren must have endured, to feel it best to leave her most beloved Levi is unimaginably heartbreaking. If talking about it, exposing it, and declaring it publicly will help even one person find a way to talk about their pain, a difference might be made. If only to save one family from the pain and anguish of losing a loved one through bringing awareness to this tragic and senseless loss of life, then Lauren's death will have some meaning.
Friends and family may pay condolences at the following events:
~ Florida Cerebration of Life
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Sunday, February 9th @ 1 p.m.
(156 Florida Park Drive N., Palm Coast, FL 32137)
~ North Carolina Celebration of Life
Taste of Heaven Campground
February 16th from 5-8 p.m.
(488 Trinity Lane, Dunn, NC 28334)
For additional information or for service details, please reach out to the family directly.
You can share this obituary using the following address, or click the button below to share on Facebook.
City of Oaks Cremation and Funeral Home is a full-service funeral home in Raleigh, serving all of North Carolina and beyond. We provide an alternative to costly funeral homes and every day we help families in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and all over North Carolina make simple, affordable funeral arrangements.
Simply having to reach out to a funeral home can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to simplify the entire funeral home experience and make the process as easy as possible. We hope to eliminate any unnecessary surprises by publishing our total cost and the services we provide directly on our website. All of our obituaries are provided free of charge as a way to help families celebrate and commemorate the lives of their loved ones.
