Marion Lauer

Marion Evelyn Lauer, age 91, of Ithaca, MI died peacefully Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Ashley Care Center, Ashley, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, MI, on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Randy Stehouwer will officiate. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. and Sunday, January 23, 2011, from 1-2:30 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, MI.

Marion was born in Lakefield, Michigan on March 20, 1919, the daughter of Nicholas John and Mary Jane (Marshall) House. She attended Merrill Public Schools. On January 23, 1943 she married Joseph Charles Lauer of rural Wheeler and together they had three children; Marsha Ann, Jon Joseph and Wilson Charles. Joe passed away in 1987. Marion was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother who always was generous with her time and talents to share with her family and friends, she was known for her great cooking ad big table spreads. Marion actively participated in the family farming operation until she was in her 60's. Her hobbies were piecing and hand quilting homemade quilts, collecting antique glass, collecting and restoring antique furniture, collecting trivets, collecting barn photos and compiling family genealogy. For many years she served on the Hamilton Township Election Board and enjoyed that community service. She also was very interested in the lore and history of rural life and farm barns, and once contributed to the 'This Old Barn' book published by Reiman Publishing. Joe and Marion resided in and operated a farming operation first in Lafayette Township; then Hamilton Township; and finally in North Star Township in the early 1980's.

The family would like to express it's appreciation for the love and care provided by the people at Ashley Care Center, the Gratiot County Commission on Aging and Great Lakes Hospice.

She is survived by her children; Marsha and Glenn Beck, Jon and Carol Lauer, Wilson and Connie Lauer, her grandchildren; Suzanne Bertuleit and John Bibler, Sybil and Dave York, William Bertuleit, Brian and Heidi Lauer, Amy and Kirk Walker, Jennifer and Troy Allen, Jill and John Hardman, Mark and Jeri Lauer, Brooke and Mark Stahl. She is also survived by great-grandchildren; Emily Bertuleit, Amelia York, Isabel York, Anna Lauer, Mara Lauer, Luke Allen, Malachi Lauer, Esther Lauer, Holly Walker, Breven Walker, Brock Hardman, Elliana Hardman, Ian Stahl, Noah Stahl, and Caleb Stahl, and siblings; Ellen Walter, Ray House and Shirley Fortier. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings Gladys Surdock and Doris Sherwood, Marshall House, Elton House and Howard House.

The Family suggests memorials be made to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca Chapel Ithaca, Michigan.

Read Marion Lauer's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.