Anna M. Lauer, 92, of Seneca, KS, died on Monday, November 11, 1974 at the Marysville Community Hospital. She had been a resident at the Mary Marshall Manor care home in Marysville for the past few years.

She was born on April 13, 1882, in Fidelity, KS, to Anton and Barbara Meunch Wempe. Her father was the first storekeeper and postmaster in Fidelity. The family moved to a farm west of Seneca in 1892, and Anna attended school there.

On May 17, 1904, she married Philip J. Lauer at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She assisted her husband in the funeral business that he had started in 1901, what was later to become Lauer Funeral Home. Her husband Phil preceded her in death on January 10, 1933.

Anna, or “Grandma Lauer” as she was known to her extensive family, who considered her a matriarch, remained in good health and lived in Seneca until only four years ago, when her health started failing and she entered nursing home care.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church in Seneca. She was a charter member of the local LCBA, and held office of the guard for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post #7458 for many years since its beginning.

Though her husband died in 1933, she remained an active person and a matriarch in her family for more than 40 years after that. She loved to challenge her great-grandchildren to competitive games, especially gin rummy, and enjoyed every minute of it, while never letting them win!

Survivors include three sons, Anthony of Phoenix, AZ, Damian of Aurora, CO, and Leonard “Grinny” of Leavenworth; two daughters, Margaret B. Lauer of Leavenworth and Jenny (Ray) Guth of Topeka; a brother, Anthony J. Wempe of Seneca; two sisters, Mary J. Wempe of Seneca, and Sister Maurus Wempe O.S.B of Atchison; 12 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren.

Rosaries were prayed by the LCBA at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Funeral mass was offered at 10:30 AM on Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.