Arlene Lawson Obituary

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.