JACOB ROHRER

Jacob Lawrence Rohrer was born December 2, 1910, on the family farm 
just west of Bourbon by what became known as old Highway 66.  
Lawrence was one of 13 children raised by his parents Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Allsman) Rohrer.  Farm life was instilled in Lawrence at 
an early age and his love of the soil continued with him all his life.
He later became a member of the First United Methodish Chruch in 
Bourbon just as his father and mother had been.

On August 23, 1935, Lawrence took as his bride a beautiful, petite, 
blonde-haired girl by the name of June Artie Souders.  In 1937 they 
moved to a farm 4 miles west of Bourbon where they spent the next 51 
years together raising a family and sharing a life dedicated to each 
other.  After operating a dairy business for several years. Lawrence 
ran for public office and was elected Crawford County Assessor in 1957.
He retired twenty years later allowing more time for telling tall 
tales at the local coffee shops, reading some his favorite cowboy 
books, and raising blue ribbon watermelons in the garden.

Lawrence, known as "Red" to so many of his friends and relatives, 
loved to share a story, pull a practical joke, and make little 
comments that displayed his wry sense of humor.  An avid outdoor 
enthusiast, he often went to Colorado with nephews and friends to 
hunt in the mountains during the day, and at night they would sit 
around the campfire spinning wild yarns about the "big one" that got 
away.  Lawrence also enjoyed fishing with his family and was quite 
proud of the record "cornfed" catfish caught in his pond.

In January 1988, Lawrence and June left the farm and moved to a new 
home by the Bourbon High School.  It is located on land that belonged 
to Lawrence's parent and is within view of the house where Lawrence 
was born.  One of the first things that Lawrence did after they were 
settled into their new home was to start a garden.

Jacob Lawrence Rohrer passed away Sunday, March 13, 1994, at the age 
of 83 years, 3 months and 11 days.  He was preceded in death by five 
brothers:  Jason, Dan, Fred, Virgil, Howard, and one sister Florence 
Isgriggs.  He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, June Artie 
(Souders) Rohrer.  Four children are also left behind:  Janet Lynn 
Kruse and husband Fred of Cuba; Jay Lawrence Rohrer and wife Linda 
of Union; Gene Allen Rohrer and wife Dee of Lee's Summit; and Rex 
Kelvin Rohrer and wife Lori of St. Charles.  Also surviving are his 
sisters:  Lillian Eikermann of Bourbon, Zelma Hill of Sarasota, 
Florida, and brother Quentin Rohrer of Cuba; seven grandchildren, 
six great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, many neighbors, and friends.

Jacob Lawrence Rohrer was a servant of the land and to the land he 
will now return.  He shall be sorely missed and always remembered.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 1994 from 
the First Methodist Church in Bourbon with Rev. Chris McCutchen 
officiating.  Interment was in the Bourbon Cemetery.  Funeral 
arrangements were under the direction of Hassebroek's Bourbon 
Chapel, Bourbon.