Gwen Lauer

Gwen M. Lauer, 95, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Sunday, April 17, 2011, at the Park Place Long Term Care Unit in Mt. Pleasant. There will be no visitation. Private family graveside services will be held at the Forest Home Chapel, with Pastor Bryan Katchay officiating, followed by inurnment at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established in her memory. The daughter of John and Cora (Schenk) Lauer, Gwendolyn May, was born May 3, 1915 in Mt. Union, IA. She attended Mt. Union schools graduating in 1932. She then attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL and graduated in 1934. Gwen began her work career in Quincy, IL where she worked for Moorman Manufacturing Company. She then moved to Santa Monica, CA in July 1941 and worked for Douglas Aircraft Company for over 30 years in the Comptroller's Division and Treasurer's Office. In February 1972, she was transferred by McDonnell Douglas Corporation to St. Louis, MO, where she worked over 9 years until her retirement in July 1981 receiving her 40-year service pin. After being associated with the growth of the aviation industry all through her career, she became actively involved with "The Wings of Hope," the largest international volunteer charity in the Midwest by setting up a Charitable Remainder Trust in which Gwen was a major contributor. Articles and pictures of Gwen, along with Mt. Pleasant Mayor, John Freeland and Wings of Hope donations advisor, Steve Akre, were featured in the March 5, 2009 Burlington Hawkeye and Mt. Pleasant News. Pilots Steve Akre and Gary Post had flown into the Mt. Pleasant Airport in one of their renovated planes they use in their works to promote the air service. This was quite an honor! After retirement Gwen held board positions on the St. Louis Women's Golf Association for six years. She was very active with the McDonnell Douglas Sages Retirees Club which included volunteer work in the St. Louis area with various organizations. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Autumn Lakes Association where she lived after retirement in Maryland Heights, MO, St Louis County. Throughout her life Gwen enjoyed traveling with friends to so many interesting places such as England, Ireland, Netherlands, all through Europe, and especially the Black Forest where her ancestors originated. She later traveled to Alaska, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, throughout Mexico and all corners of the United States. The adventures of these trips were typed up with accompanying photos she took and brochures in scrapbooks for future reference. Most of her life she was active in her love of golf and bowling leagues. Being a very competitive person, she won many plaques and trophies, plus four gold medals, in her senior division of golf. She was especially proud of a gold putter awarded to her. She was of the Presbyterian faith, but living in California for so many years, was a frequent visitor of the "Crystal Cathedral" founded by Dr. Robert Schuller. Her many contributions through the years resulted in a large collection of beautiful porcelain eagles from this foundation. She continued viewing the "Hour of Power" on Sunday morning TV after moving back to the Midwest. Gwen enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzles in the newspapers each morning until she lost much of her eyesight due to macular degeneration. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. In May 2000, Gwen moved from St. Louis to Stonebrook in Mt. Pleasant to be near relatives. In April 2009, she took residency at Park Place until her death. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Park Place of Mt. Pleasant for the dignified and loving care Gwen received. Survivors include a sister, Dolores Mathews of Mt. Pleasant; four nieces, Vicki Adlfinger, Lynne (Bob) Sims, Sharri (Denny) Bahlmann and Sharon (Darrel) Christensen; and a nephew, Robert (Janette) Mathews. Also surviving are numerous great nieces and great nephews. Besides her parents, Gwen is preceded in death by a brother, Gerald S. Lauer; and a brother-in-law, Stan Mathews.