Herbert Rinehart Lauer

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Sept. 16, 1916 - Dec. 29, 2008

Herbert Rinehart Lauer died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Community Hospital in McCook at the age of 92.

He was born Sept. 16, 1916, at Anselmo, Neb., the son of the late Edward and Magdelena (Vollmer) Lauer. Herbert grew up at the Merna Cliff Table near Arnold, Neb., and attended Pleasant Hill High School at Arnold.

On April 3, 1941, Herbert entered the U.S. Army serving during World War II. Following his honorable discharge from the Army on Sept. 3, 1945, he returned to Nebraska where he married Velma Caroline Kisker at St. John's Lutheran Church at Ash Creek.

They made their home at Lusk, Wyo., before returning to McCook in 1950, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Herbert worked as a salesman for several local retail businesses.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Laymens League and served on several church boards.

Herbert loved to recall the days when he was growing up and farming with his dad and brothers and working the teams of horses. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and just hearing about them brightened his day.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma on March 21, 2007; brothers Albert, Gus and wife, Lillie, William and wife, Pauline, Edmond and wives, Martha and Emelie, John and wife, Beulah, Fred and wife, Lois, Arthur and wife, Rema and Karl and wife, Alvina; sisters, Victoria and husband, Shorty, Leona and husband, Huey and Nettie and husband, Roscoe.

Herbert is survived by one son, Ron Lauer and wife, Deb of McCook; one daughter, Bethene Blackman and husband, Terry of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren, Brad Lauer and wife, Jill, Bailey Dawn Lauer, Darrick Blackman and wife, Jamie and Heather Pierce and husband, Ryan; two great-granddaughters, Morgan Blackman and Kaylee Pierce; one step-great-grandson, Mason; and nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday Jan. 2, 2009, at St. John's Lutheran Church southeast of McCook with the Rev. Kevin Schnakenberg officiating. Interment will be in the Ash Creek Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name and friends may call at Herrmann Funeral Home from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.