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Arlene Florence Westerhouse Lawson, 98 passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Hillside Village Nursing Home in DeSoto, Kansas.
Arlene was born at home, the oldest of three children of Leoti Milburn Westerhouse and Amos W. Westerhouse, Jr. on April 28, 1922. Arlene grew up on the family farm SE of Eudora and attended Hopewell School and Eudora High School where she met her future husband, Leland (Pete) Lawson. After High School Arlene attended Lawrence Business College then worked in Washington DC as a secretary for the Department of Agriculture. When WWII was declared she returned home. Arlene and Pete were married on March 7, 1942 - they were married for 71 years. Pete died December 22, 2013. They had two children, Kenneth L. and Karen Kaye.
Arlene began sewing and quilting when she was young. She was bookkeeper for Rothberger Chevrolet where Pete was employed, later Broers Chevrolet and then Pete's Garage. Arlene also worked at the Douglas County Court House, J.C. Penney's and was City Clerk of Eudora from 1963 to 1988 before retiring to quilt, garden and travel with her husband. Together they enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing, playing the organ and their church.
Arlene is survived by her son, Ken Lawson and wife Sharon, daughter, Kaye and husband John Spitzli all of Eudora, four granddaughters, Shawnua Wilkerson (Kevin), Marietta, Texas, Kendi Baker (Kenny) Lantana, Texas, Jamie Lacy (Chris) Jacksonville, Florida and Jacque McClaskey (Jon) Eudora; Great grandchildren, Dylan Scribner, Tyler Stover, Kade Baker, Joe Lacy, Lakin Blum, Paige Lacy, Mindy McDonald and Mike McClaskey.
Besides her husband, Arlene is preceded in death by her parents Amos Jr and Leoti Westerhouse, her brother Eugene Westerhouse and sister Maxine Gerstenberger.
A visitation will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel, 1003 John L. Williams Drive, Eudora. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 24th at the Eudora United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Eudora Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Arlene's memory can be made to the Eudora Methodist Church, 2084 N 1300 Road, Eudora, KS 66025 or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Due to COVID 19, the church has a 60-person limit. However, the service will be live-streamed thru the church YouTube and radio transmission will be available on station FM 88.7 to listen to the service from your car in the church parking lot.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Kaye and Ken, I remember all the good times I had at your house. Your mom was always so nice to me. Your mom hosted a 75th birthday party for my mom and her former classmates. Arlene called me to personally invite me. Mother was recovering from her ovarian cancer surgery and it was a couple of weeks before she started chemo. My mom enjoyed herself and was so touched that Arlene did this for her. I enjoyed watching mom interacting with her classmates.
My husband, Jon, and I held an open house for mom also for her 75th birthday. Many from the Methodist church came, including your mom. It was so good to see mom with so many of her friends, to hear their stories of mom. Mom died at 76 during lent of 1998, April 4th.
You were so fortunate to have your mom and dad for so long. Now they are together in heaven rejoicing with family and friends who passed before them, including my mom. Keep your good memories close to your heart and your mom and dad will always be with you. Bless you and your families. ❤
Shirley (Zinn) Sapp
Friend
May 18, 2021
Arlene was such a gracious lady. Ken and Kaye you had great parents. Losing your Mom will leave a void in your lives, but I'm sure you have many wonderful memories to comfort you.
Sharon Gabriel
Friend
April 22, 2021
Arlene was a great lady my family had known her for years. I know she will be greatly missed. She was a grand lady
She always had a smile on her face.
From Harry Shafer
Harry Shafer
Friend
April 22, 2021
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6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Warren-McElwain Mortuary Eudora Chapel1003 John L Williams Dr, Eudora, KS 66025
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Warren-McElwain Mortuary Eudora Chapel1003 John L Williams Dr, Eudora, KS 66025
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