Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of September 28, 2013 Rachel Auringer Rachel Auringer was born in Kirkwood, Missouri to Harold and Anna Auringer and passed away Saturday, June 8, 2013. Her school from kindergarten through high school was overseen by the Ursuline Nuns. After high school she attended Webster College. She felt God had a special mission for her. At the end of the first year in college she entered the Ursuline Novitiate in Festus, Missouri. Upon completion of her vows she was sent to the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York and received her undergraduate degree. She taught elementary school for several years at Ursuline schools in the Missouri and Illinois area. After several years she was transferred to Ursuline Academy in Dallas, Texas. Three months later she was sent to Ursuline Academy in San Antonio, Texas. After a three-year stay in San Antonio she was sent to an Ursuline High School in Jennings, Missouri. At the end of her stay in Jennings, she was once again assigned to Ursuline Academy in Dallas, this time as principal of the lower school. This would begin a lifelong association with people in Dallas that lasted until her death. After a four-year stay in Dallas, she took a sabbatical and spent a year in Rome, Italy. On return to the states she was sent to the Ursuline School in Galveston, Texas where she remained for two years. She was once more assigned to Ursuline in Dallas as principal of the high school. She taught in the Dallas Public Schools for two years. At the end of the second year she was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award as “Teacher of the Year.” She was recruited by St. Mark’s School of Texas, a prestigious academic school. She took over as head of the lower school and remained for nine years. Having accomplished all she felt she could at St. Mark’s, she took the job as principal of Sacred Heart School in Morrilton, Arkansas, where she remained for 10years. She attained the principalship at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She remained there for five years. She assumed the principalship at Holy Cross School in Cuba, Missouri, where she remained for four years. Now in her 70’s she decided it was time to retire. However, during the summer she asked to be allowed to volunteer as a full time teacher at St. Anthony’s School in Sullivan, Missouri. She stayed there for five years. She finished the year and on the last day of class, after the students had left, she asked to be taken to the hospital. She remained at St. John Mercy in Washington for a week. She slipped into a coma. She died at home quietly. Rachel was an adventurous, fun loving spirit whose greatest joy was camping and backpacking in the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming in the company of a close friend. It was in Cuba that she found her nitch. This was home to her. She met and remained friends with many of the people. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Harold and Anna Auringer; two older sisters, Maryann Gallino of Phoenix, Arizona and Carol Flood of St. Louis; God daughter, Nancy Skinner. She is survived by her brother, Charles Auringer and his wife Anna and many nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 2, 2013 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba with Father William Korte as celebrant. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Elsie M. Hardy Elsie M. Hardy of Sullivan, Missouri was born on October 9, 1925 in Bourbon, Missouri to Ward Henry and Pearl (Bryan) Lantz and passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 1 day. Elsie had lived the majority of her life in the Sullivan area except for a time living in California, which spanned most of 20 years.   She was also employed for a time at Paramount Headwear in Bourbon, Missouri and at the former Midwest Shoe Company.   Elsie was first married to Louis Webb in November of 1941 and to this marriage three children were born.  This marriage later ended in divorce.   Elsie later married Charles William Hardy in May of 1965. Elsie was known as being “spunky” and easy to get along with.   However, you would know where you stood with her as she could easily “stand her ground.” She enjoyed playing cards, especially canasta, reading and crocheting.   Elsie attended First Baptist Church of Bourbon as well as Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan, Missouri.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Pearl Lantz; her husband, Bill, in March of 1992; two brothers, Harold and Glen Lantz; and a sister, Alice Bell. She is survived by two sons, Dean Webb and wife Donna and Roger A. Webb, all of Sullivan, Missouri; one daughter, Betty Jean Blankenship and husband Jack of Sullivan, Missouri; three sisters, Helen McCarthy of Sacramento, California, Edith Guthry of Fountain Valley, California and Reva Hecht of Sullivan, Missouri; four grand- children; six great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 14, 2013 from the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.   Lucille Agnes Howdeshell Lucille Agnes Howdeshell of Decatur, Texas, formerly of St. James, Missouri was born on November 3, 1925 Watson, Missouri and passed away at her home on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the age of 87 years, 9 months and 7 days. She worked in the Food Service as a cook for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles T. Howdeshell on March 13, 1980 and one daughter, Lucille Tollison. She is survived by one son, Charles Howdeshell of Decatur, Texas; four daughters, Mary Turner of Denison, Kansas, Lena Marie Godfrey of Meriden, Kansas, Judy Bouse of St. James, Missouri and Ethel Ann Howdeshell of Beaver Creek, Ohio; 16 grandchildren; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Graveside services were conducted on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Missouri with Pastor Steve Barber officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Mary M. Koke Mary M. Koke of Cuba, Missouri was born Thursday, January 24, 1935 at St. Louis, Missouri to Frank and Catherine (nee O’Shea) Piatchek and passed away Friday, August 16, 2013 at her son’s home in Florissant, Missouri at the age of 78 years. Mary was united in marriage of Richard J. Koke on July 17, 1954 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic in St. Louis, Missouri and to this union two sons were born. Mary retired from Safeco Insurance as a terminal operator after 20 plus years of dedicated service. They moved from Sunset Hills to Cuba in 1994 and became active members of the Holy Cross Catholic Church were Mary served as an usher, gift bearer and Eucharist minister. She was the past president of the Missouri Ladies Auxiliary Council #920 of Cuba and was a past member of the Ladies Auxiliary in St. Louis, Missouri. Mary was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing bingo, collecting salt and pepper shakers and stuffed animals. Mary spent many hours at the Knight of Columbus Hall working bingo, steak night and all other events. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Catherine Piatchek; one infant son, Robert Roy Koke. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard Koke of Cuba, Missouri; one son, Mike and wife Pat Koke of Florissant, Missouri; two grandchildren, Philip Koke and Amie Koke; three step grandchildren, Jim, Mindy and Tammy Toomey; one great grandchild, Nick Mitalovich; one sister, Ann Piatcheck of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with a 7 p.m. Rosary Service by Father William Korte. Celebration of Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba, Missouri with Father Korte as celebrant. Interment and prayers were at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Patricia Dorothy Lauridsen Patricia Dorothy Lauridsen, known to all as Patsy, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 22, 1921, to Richard Lee and Lucille Ruby (nee Collier) Powers and passed away August 16, 2013, at the age of 91 years, 9 months and 25 days. On July 12, 1947, she was united in marriage to Carl Madsen Lauridsen. Patsy was a Christian of the Lutheran faith, believing in the Lord as her Savior. During her working career, Patsy worked at an ammunitions plant during World War II and in later years, was employed as a sales clerk at JC Penney in St. Louis, Missouri. She was an active and vibrant lady and was involved in the community. She served as chairperson for Franklin County OATS Support Committee and was also a member and past president of the Wellston School PTA, active there for 14 years. She loved the outdoors, especially camping on the Meramec River and riding motorcycles. She had an outgoing nature, was very active and loved living life to the fullest.  Going ski diving on her 80th birthday was one of her highlights. What meant most to her though, was time spent with her family. She loved to create nicknames for her grandchildren and even some of their friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Powers and Lucille Powers Bewig; her step-father, John W. Bewig, I; husband, Carl Lauridsen; brother, John W. Bewig, II; and three sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Creighton, Lorraine Mossinghoff and Shirley Harvill. She is survived by her children, Richard Lee Lauridsen and wife Mari of St. Clair, Missouri and Chris Lauridsen of Steelville, Missouri; one sister, Elizabeth Litzinger of the state of Florida; three grand- children, Jeff Lauridsen and wife Ann of Washington, Missouri, Mark Lauridsen of Affton, Missouri and Tricia Tune and husband Keegan of St. Peters, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Paige Lauridsen Webbe of Washington, Missouri and Kinley Rene Tune of St. Peters, Missouri; one brother-in-law; one sister-in-law; other relatives and friends. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at the Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri with the Rev. Jim Watson officiating. Interment was in the Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. Arrangements under the direction of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, Missouri. Carl R. McClanahan Carl R. McClanahan, formerly of Steelville, Missouri, was born December 14, 1932 in Illinois and passed away August 15, 2013 at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 1 day. He served his country in the Air Force. He belonged to a motorcycle club and loved to ride motorcycles. He wrote three books on automotives. He is survived by children, Monia Crister of Pangburn, Arkansas and Timothy David; brother, David McClanahan of Potosi, Missouri; special friend, Darrell Arndt of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Private services were held under the direction of the DeClue Funeral Home of Potosi, Missouri.   Mildred “Patricia” Poh Mildred “Patricia” Poh was born in Denora, Pennsylvania on March 17, 1927 to Robert Lee and Carrie (Johnson) Williams and passed away Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 86 years. Patricia raised her five daughters in St. James, Missouri. She was a member of the St. James Christian Church. Her hobbies included knitting, crafting of all kinds and country music. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Carrie Williams; her husband, George Poh; infant son; brothers, Don and Howard Williams; sister, Lorraine Lemon. She is survived by her five daughters, Brenda Chandler of Florida, Linda Harris and husband Gerald of Lebanon, Missouri, Glenda Davis of Rolla, Missouri, Trudy Martin and husband Dave of St. James, Missouri, and Judy Smith and husband Jim of Omaha, Nebraska; several grand- children and great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 11 a.m. in the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Allen Wynn officiating. Interment will be held at the High Gate Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James, Missouri. Anna Mae Webster Anna Mae (Kolb) Webster of St. James, Missouri was born on January 9, 1931 in St. James, Missouri to William McKinley and Bertha Alice (Bacon) Kolb and passed away on August 18, 2013 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 82 years, 7 months and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bertha Kolb; one son, Thomas Daniel Webster Jr.; three brothers, William Henry Kolb, Billy Jay Kolb and Donnie Eugene Kolb; three sisters, Mammie Margaret Kolb, Wanda Lee Pankey and Lula Elva Crider; and two grand- children, Thomas Daniel Webster III and Wendy Renee Brewer. She is survived by two daughters, Rita Vandiver and Linda Diana Webster, both of St. James, Missouri; one son, Robey James Webster and wife Sue Ann of Rolla, Missouri; two sisters, Carmal Lou Nappier and Bonnie Hahn both of St. James, Missouri; one brother-in-law: Chester Crider of St. James, Missouri; nine grand- children; 18 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Visitation was on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Jerry Baumann officiating. Pallbearers were Roger Nappier, Ronny Nappier, John Spurgeon Jr., Bob Pankey, Russell Crider and Charles Shirley. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Webster and Chester Crider.   Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery in rural St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks