Guri Ladestro

Guri passed away on August 10, 2025, at home with her loving daughter, Linda, by her side. At age 91, she had a long and happy life, despite her last years of courageously battling the devasting effects of Parkinson’s Disease and the loss of her beloved husband, Ralph.

She was born April 13, 1934 to Ida and Ole Myreng, now deceased, in the village of Skåbu, high up in the mountains of central Norway. The eldest of 4 children, she lived a simple life on a farm and survived the harshness of occupied Norway during WWII. As a child she loved hiking and skiing, even winning a medal for ski jumping in her teens. After the deprivations of the war, she dreamed of living the “American Dream” in the United States. After high school, she went to trade school to become a tailor. In 1954, at the age of 18, she emigrated to Minneapolis, Minnesota to pursue those dreams. There she met Raymond Cahow, also of Norwegian descent, at the Prom Ballroom in Minneapolis. Married in 1955, they soon moved to Philadelphia, PA where their daughter Linda was born. Soon career opportunities for Ray led them to settle in the Maryland DC Metro area. While always proud of her Norwegian heritage, her family tree can be traced back to 1320, she was full of pride to become a US Citizen in 1964. Guri and Ray joined the Sons of Norway lodge where she was an active member for over 45 years enjoying cultural activities and making lifelong friendships.

In 1976 Guri married Ralph Ladestro, her second husband and soul mate of 47 years. Guri and Ralph did everything together and their marriage was a testament to love.

Talented, determined, and hard-working, she was an accomplished tailor with the Hecht Company and later became an entrepreneur of several successful businesses. With Ray she opened Norsemen Custom Tailors in Falls Church, Virginia where she tailored clothes for Liberace, the band Deep Purple, and for many famous pro-football and pro-basketball players. With Ralph, she opened Norway Cleaners and Tailoring in Landover Hills, Maryland. Wanting to try the restaurant business, Guri and Ralph later opened the Troll House of Beef Sandwich Shop in the same shopping center. After a short-lived retirement, they opened Ladestro’s Cleaners in Crofton, Maryland.

Guri and Ralph retired to a view of the Shenandoah River in Front Royal Virginia. Bored with retirement they moved to Winchester Virginia to work part time for a few more years. Finally, missing their children and grandchildren, they moved to Ellicott City, Maryland with Linda and her daughter Lara where they lived together for 17 years.

One of the last from the greatest generation, Guri cared greatly for the values of those times. Her greatest joy was spending time with Ralph and her family. Guri was compassionate, caring, always feminine and a lady who loved to dress in her finest. She loved to cook and was a gracious hostess who made everyone feel welcome and well fed. She enjoyed sewing, politics, reading, and music including opera, musicals, Norwegian folk music, and Eric Clapton guitar riffs. During her years living in America, she returned to Norway 4 times to see family and friends. She was often heard talking on the phone in Norwegian and remained close with her siblings until the end. Above all, Guri will be fondly remembered for her beautiful smile, her generous spirit, delicious cooking, accomplished sewing, and the many interesting stories of her life in Norway as a child and surviving WWII. Her strength and dignity in the face of challenges and illness were a testament to her character. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. Tak For alt Mor, Hvil I fred. (Thanks for everything mother, Rest in Peace).

Guri is predeceased by her husband Ralph Ladestro, and her sister Oddrun Bakken of Skåbu Norway. She is survived by her brother Iver Myreng and sister Ingbjorg Myreng of Skåbu, Norway, daughter Linda Cahow, granddaughter Lara Cahow, stepchildren John Ladestro (Gwenn), Diane Dorfman (Alan) and Andrea Custead (Paul) and her many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and Raymond Cahow former spouse.

Inurnment will take place on Monday October 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson’s Foundation – Donate Now.