R. Elizabeth French Lauer

Mass of Christian Burial for R. Elizabeth French Lauer, 90, Leavenworth, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Leavenworth. Mrs. Lauer died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.She was born April 17, 1917, in Emporia, the daughter of Walter E. and Bessie Souders French. She attended Emporia schools and Emporia State Teachers College.Mrs. Lauer spent 28 years teaching in Kansas in Seneca, Hope, St. Joseph, Lansing and at Patton Junior High School at Fort Leavenworth. She served as first district and department president of Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary from 1961 to 1962 and received the key to the city of Leavenworth. She was also national youth director for the VFW Auxiliary from 1962 to 1963.She was a member of retired teachers of Kansas, VFW Post 56, St. John’s Hospital Guild and Leavenworth Carousel Association. She was also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Organization for Women Educators and Kansas Alpha Tau Chapter. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; sewing; reading; and playing the organ.Mrs. Lauer married Leonard Lauer in 1940 in Emporia. He died in 1996.She also was proceeded in death by her parents, five brothers and three sisters.Survivors include a daughter, Beth Reynolds and husband David, Lawrence; two grandchildren, Micheal Reynolds and Mickey Stremel; five great-grandchildren, Alec, Zak and Connor Stremel, and Amanda and Rachel Reynolds.The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, where a prayer service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday.The family suggests memorials to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum or St. Joseph Catholic Church, sent in care of the funeral chapel, 531 Shawnee St., Leavenworth 66048.