Odessa City Cemetery 

                                                                   Obituaries submitted by Marge Womach

Page La through Lay

Laib, Christina,  w/o John J  (d. 8-12-1966; b. 12-19-1891; TS; OC; obit) “Funeral services for Mrs. Christina Laib, who died at the Memorial Convalescent Center on Aug 12, were held Monday afternoon at the UCC, Rev B M Schafer officiating. Burial was in the Odessa Cemetery. Pall bearers were all grandsons of the deceased: Don Scheller, Odessa; Dennis, Loren and Alan Laib, Dayton; and Randy and Kevin Laib, Seattle.  Mrs. Christina Laib, daughter of Christian and Christina Heizelman, was born Dec 19, 1891 in Assinibora, Canada. She was united in marriage to Mr. John Laib in Ruff, WA, on Dec 18, 1911. They farmed at Warden for two years; for 2 ½ years in Idaho; then the remainder of their farming years were in the Warden and Lind area. The couple retired to Odessa in 1941.  Mrs. Laib was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational tradition. She was an active church member, especially in the Ladies Aid Society and the Prayer Fellowship. She was 74 years of age.  She leaves to mourn her death, two daughters, Mrs. Ella Scheller of Odessa and Mrs. Annette Gray of Visalia, CA; three sons, Albert and Raymond, of Dayton, and Milton of Seattle.  A brother, Jacob Heizelman of the Dalles, Oregon, survives, as well as three sisters, Bena Hose of Harrington and Recca and Minnie Raugust of Odessa. There are 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.” (Odessa Record: 8-18-1966) 

Laib, John J.,   (d. 2-11-1964; b. 12-15-1889; TS; OC; obit) “John J. Laib, 74, retired rancher of Odessa drowned shortly before noon Tuesday in O’Sullivan Reservoir while on an ice fishing trip. Several Odessa men were at the scene. Laib was fishing by himself, about 100 yards from other fishermen, when he headed for shore and fell through the ice, it was reported. Rescue was attempted and the drowned man was removed with the aid of a rope. Artificial respiration was attempted at the point of rescue, but gathering crowds required that Laib be taken to the bank of the reservoir, where life saving methods were resumed. The accident occurred near where the Lind Coulee enters the reservoir. The body was taken in charge by a Moses Lake funeral home. Laib was a long time resident of the Warden area before coming to Odessa to retire. He and Mrs. Laib celebrated their golden wedding around New Year of 1963.  Mr. Laib, 72, was born in Russia but came to the Warden-Lind area with his family when he was 12 years old. He was married at Ruff on Dec 18, 1911, to the former Christina Heizelman. After several years of farming in the Warden area, Mr. and Mrs. Laib moved to Odessa to retire, and have lived here the past 23 years. Music was brought by Mrs. Ruth Suchland, organist, and a male quartet including William Wenz, Al Kirstein, Henry Walter and Harold Hoefel. Pallbearers included three grandsons, Donald Scheller of WSU, Randall Laib of Seattle, and Loren Laib, Dayton; three nephews, Alvin Laib, Spokane; Richard Laib, Valleyford, and Delmar Laib, Warden. Survivors include his wife, at the home; two daughters, Mrs. Ella. Scheller of Odessa and Mrs. Annette Gray of Visalia, CA; three sons, Albert and Raymond of Dayton, and Milton of Seattle; a brother, David Laib of Spokane; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.” (Odessa Record: Feb 20, 1964)

Laib, Norene,  d/o Albert  (d. 8-24-42; b. 8-26-1941; TS; OC; Strates; Cong) “Norene Fay Laib. Died: 25 Aug 1942; 11 mos 29 days; feeble minded.” (Congregational Church Ledger by Hausauer) “Norene Laib. Birth: Aug 26, 1941, Odessa, WA. Death: 8-24-1942; Age: 11 mos 29 days. Female, white, single, baby. Father: Albert E. Laib, born Warden, WA. Mother: Sarah Koch born Paul, Idaho. Informant: Albert E. Laib of Odessa, WA. Relatives: Father and Mother; 1 sister, Carol Joyce; Grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. John Laib, Odessa, WA. Mr. & Mrs. Peter Koch, Paul, Idaho; Great grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. John Laib Sr. of Warden, WA. Physical: Dark hair, brown eyes” (Mortuary Ledger)

Laing, Mary,   (d. 7-20-1909; b. 5-10-1851; TS; OC; obit) “Mary Laing was born May 10, 1851, and died July 20, 1909, at the home of her son near Wheeler. The deceased was the daughter of John and Olive Penhale of Huron County, Ontario, Canada, and was married to Wm Laing in Linn County, MO, on Feb 19, 1870. With her husband, son and daughter-in-law, she moved to Odessa, WA, on the third of Nov 1905, moving a few months later to the Wheeler country where she has lived since. Mrs. Laing was sick only about 3 hours, and passed away seemingly without pain or suffering. She had been in good health and her death came as a shock to her relatives and friends. Her life has been that of a consistent Christian, having been a member of the Presbyterian church for the past 38 years. The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church Thursday morning at 11 o’clock, Rev F. Tonge preaching the sermon from the text found in Revelations 14:13—‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.’ the interment was at the German Lutheran cemetery.” (Odessa Record: 7-23-1909)

Laing, William L.,   (d. 11-04-1919; b. 6-11-1944; TS; OC; obit) “J H Ray received the sad news on Tuesday that William L. Lang had just died at the home of W. J. Lang at Ruff of Bright’s disease. Lang will be well remembered by the older residents of Odessa having resided here about 15 years ago prior to his moving to the southwest country.  He was born  in Ontario County, Canada June 11, 1844 and resided near the place of his birth until he was 24 years old when he migrated to Missouri where in May, 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Penhale. Four children were born of this union, but three died in infancy. The other, W. J. Lang, is now a prominent business man at Ruff, WA. For a time Mr. Lang engaged in farming in Missouri and then engaged in business on a large scale, but about 14 years ago came with his wife to Odessa and took up his residence with his son.  Three years later they moved to Warden where they again established a home and were Mrs. Lang died in 1909. During his residence at that place he filled both the offices of Mayor and town clerk. He was very public spirited and took an active part in anything that was for the upbuilding of the community.  He was a member of the Congregational Church and the Masonic lodge, having reached the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite Masons. He was taken ill several months ago and went to Ruff where he remained at his son’s home until his death. Besides this son and family he leaves many friends in different sections of the country to mourn his death. Funeral services were conducted at Ruff yesterday morning, the Rev J. C. Evans of the Odessa Congregational church officiating after which his remains were brought to Odessa for interment in the Odessa Cemetery where the members of Odessa Lodge No 156, F & AM took charge and gave the regular Masonic burial service.” (Odessa Record: 11-07-1919)

Landfried, C. Edward,   (d. 11-16-1953; b. 11-28-1913; TS; OC; obit)  “Edward C. Landfried, of the Lamona area, was killed Tuesday evening in a fall from a scaffold at the farm of George N Lowe. His skull was crushed in the fall. Officers who investigated said that death may have been caused by strangulation and an inquest was slated to be held Thursday morning. Roy Woodruff, a 29-year-old farm laborer who was working with Landfried on the scaffold, is being held without charge in the Lincoln County jail for questioning in connection with the death. Sheriff Charles E. McCaffery and Prosecuting Attorney Willard Zellmer said that Woodruff told them Landfried fell from an eight-foot high hay mow on a 150-pound olds combine header weight that was found near the victim’s head.  Landfried went to live with Mr. & Mrs. Lowe in 1930 and although he was not adopted by the couple, they had come to regard him as their son, the officers said.  The man’s body was taken to the Strate Funeral Home at Odessa.” (Nov 20, 1953-Citizen) “Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Lamona Lutheran Church for Edward C. Landfried, who died Monday evening on the farm near Lamona. Mrs. H. W. Holman sang, and Mrs. James Lyons accompanied her at the organ. Rev John Frese was officiating minister. Pallbearers were Bill Iverson, Henry Holman, Paul Haug, Walter Tanke, Robert Lyons and Walter Schiller. Interment was in the Odessa Cemetery. Ed Landfried was born near Addy, November 28, 1918. His mother died when he was a child, and at the age of 13 he went to live at the home of Mr. & Mrs. George Lowe, who truly became parents to him. He was graduated from the Odessa High School in 1936, and joined the Lutheran Church in 1948 when Rev Benjamin Schuldheisz was minister at the Lamona and Odessa churches. He is survived by his widow, Rose; sons, David and Dennis; brothers, Virgil, of Davenport, and Earl of Spokane. His father passed away just last year. Coming from out of town for the last rites were Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Landfried & daughter, Davenport; Earl Landfried, Spokane; Mr. & Mrs. J .Axtell & son, Coeur d’Alene; Mrs. Harold Hopkins, Spokane; Mr. & Mrs. Gus Reinish, Ryder, ND; Chris Reinish, Rockford, ND; George Reinish, Portland, OR; Henry Reinish, Garrison, ND; Fred Reinish, Ryder, ND; Mr. & Mrs. Donald Hustad, Spokane (Mrs. Hustad is a sister of Mrs. George Lowe); Mr. & Mrs. David Alby of Addy, WA; Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Murback, Davenport; Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tabb, Spokane; Mr. & Mrs. Jim Carstens, Harrington.” (Nov 27, 1953-Citizen)

Laney, David Alfred,  s/o D. H.  (d. 1-12-1948; b. 4-28-1873; TS; OC; Strates) “David Alfred Laney. Residence: Odessa, WA. Birth: 4-28-1873, Savana, MO; Death: 1-12-1948, at home. Age: 73 yrs 8 mos 14 days. Male, white, widowed, retired farmer. Father: David H Laney, born PA; Mother: Martha Maugh, born PA. Physician: Dr Bonney. Burial: Odessa Cemetery, Odessa, WA. Funeral: English Congregational Church in Odessa, 2 p.m.  Interment: 1-15-1948.” (Mortuary Ledger) “David A Laney,74 pioneer cattle and stock breeder of the area, died at his home on Monday afternoon, and funeral services are being conducted from the English Congregational Church this afternoon, the Rev M. J. Galle officiating, with burial in the Odessa Cemetery, under the direction of Strate Funeral Home. Born on a farm near Savanah, Missouri, April 28, 1873, Mr. Laney grew to manhood in that area, attending high school at St Joseph, MO, with a year of advanced study at Northwestern University at Evanston, IL. In 1892 he moved to Miles City, MT, and in 1901 to Ekalaka, MY. In the same year he was united in marriage to Margaret Leonis Brown, who died Aug 11, 1938. Two children, Mrs. Audrey Williams and Mrs. Daisy Miller, survive this marriage. In Sept 1911, Mr. Laney and his brother, Arnon, brought their holdings of Percheron horses, sheep and purebred cattle to the Odessa area, locating 10 miles east of Odessa, on Crab Creek. In 1921 he built a set of farm buildings on a portion of the Laney Brothers ranch and the property was divided. He continued on the farm until April, 1942, when he retired to make his home in town. In March, 1940, he was married to Orpha Jane Brown, sister of his former wife. She died in March, 1946. Mr. Laney was active in his community, and in Grange affairs, being a past master of the Odessa Grange. Pallbearers include three Grange past masters, W. F. Zagelow, C. H. Graedel and David Weber, together with H. E. Michaelsen, Charles Scrupps and Lester Luiten. Survivors include the two daughters, two grandchildren, David and Meryl Williams; a brother, John W. Laney, and a sister, Miss Emma Laney of Oswego, Oregon.” (Odessa Record: Jan 15, 1948)

Laney, Joe C.,   (d. 1979; b. 1894; TS; OC; obit)  “Funeral services were held April 6, 1979 for Joe Laney who passed away April 3, 1979, at the Odessa Memorial Hospital. The services were held at the English Congregational Church with Pastor Douglas Roberts officiating.  Joe C. Laney was born Sept 16, 1894, at Miles City, Montana, to Arnon Laney and Florence Owsley Laney. He was raised on a sheep ranch in Montana until the early 1900’s. The family moved to western Washington in 1916 and his father went into partnership with two brothers and bought the Lamona property. His mother maintained a home in Seattle, where he went to school.  He spent summers at the Lamona ranch.  On June 14, 1924, he was married to Margaret Stewart. They lived in Spokane where Joe was engaged in electrical contracting. In 1933 they moved to the ranch, where he resided until his death. Two children were born to this union, Betty Jean Hemmerling and Richard A Laney, both living in Odessa. Richard was in partnership with his father at the ranch.  Survivors include, in addition to his wife and two children, six grandchildren.  He was a member of the English Congregational Church of Odessa, Odessa Grange and Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Odessa Fire Commissioners from the time it was formed, until his retirement, and a life member of the State Fire Commissioners.  Sacred selections ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘In The Garden’ were sung by Donna Schafer, accompanied by Joyce Roberts on the organ.  Casket bearers were Henry Michaelsen, Errol Kramer, Fred Stehr, C. H. Scrupps, Frank Wraspir and Dave Birge.” (Odessa Record: 4-12-1979) 

Laney, John Carl,   (d. 1975; b. 1889; TS; OC)

Laney, Margaret Ann Stewart,  (added) d. 3-18-1987;  “Margaret Ann Laney of Lamona, born in Spokane March 20, 1900 to Zachariah and Annie Stewart, passed away in Odessa March 18, (1987) after a brief illness. After attending schools in Spokane, she graduated from Washington State College and taught home economics and chemistry in the Odessa schools for a short time. She was married to Joseph Laney in 1924, and the couple settled in Spokane where he was an electrician. In 1933, the family moved to their ranch at Lamona, where Mrs. Laney lived until a recent stay at Memorial Hospital.  She was a member of the English Congregational Church, participating in the Women’s Fellowship and the choir. A charter member of the Eastern Star here, she was also a member of the Grange and the Lamona Women’s Club, and participated in the 4-H program.  Mrs. Laney is survived by a son, Richard (Dick) Laney of Lamona, and a daughter, Betty Hemmerling of Odessa; by two grandsons, Doug Hemmerling of Odessa and Richard (Bud) Laney of Headrick, Oklahoma; by a granddaughter, Shelly Dillard of Shreveport, Louisiana; by a brother, Donald Stewart, and a sister, Harriet Laney, both of Vancouver, WA; and by 2 great grandsons and 5 great granddaughters. Funeral service for Mrs. Laney was held March 23 at the English Congregational Church, Pastor Robert Shofner officiating. Concluding service and vault interment followed at Odessa Cemetery, under the direction of Strate Funeral Home.” (Odessa Record: 3-26-1987)

Laney, Margaret L. Brown,   (d. 8-11-1938; b. 3-20-1879; w/o David; obit; TS; OC; Strates) “Funeral services for Mrs. D. A. Laney, prominent pioneer matron of the community, will be held from the English Congregational Church on Sunday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, with the Rev M. J. Galle officiating. Burial will be in the Odessa Cemetery, with Strate Mortuary in charge. Margaret L. Brown was born near Windsor, MO, on Mar 20, 1879 and went with her parents to Montana in 1889. In 1901 she was married to David A Laney and ten years later came to Odessa, where her husband had purchased a cattle and horse ranch. She has made her home there since, taking an active part in church and Grange life. She died early Wednesday morning, following a stroke. Survivors include her widower, D. A. Laney; two daughters, Mrs. George J. Williams, Seattle; Mrs. Daisy Miller, Odessa; a sister, Orpha J. Brown, Odessa; brother, R. G. Brown, Tucson, Arizona, and two grandchildren.  (Aug 11, 1938-Odessa Record) “Margret B. Laney. Residence: 10 miles East of Odessa, WA. Death: Aug 11, 1938, 2:35 a.m., at home, 10 miles east of Odessa. Birth: March 20, 1879, Windsor, MO. Age: 59 yrs 4 mos 21 days. Informant: David A. Laney, of Odessa, WA. Female, white, married, housewife. Last worked: Aug 1938. Total yrs in occupation: 37 yrs.  Length of residence: 27 yrs; Previous residence: Ekalaka, MT. Father: James Brown, born MO; Mother: Margret Stark, born MO. Physician: L. J. Bonney. Leaves: husband, David A. Laney; 2 daughters: Mrs. George J. Williams, Seattle, WA; Mrs. Daisy Miller, Odessa, WA; 1 sister: Orpha J. Brown, Odessa, WA; 1 brother: K. J. Brown, Tucson, AZ; 2 grandchildren.” (Mortuary Ledger)

Laney, Orpha J. Brown,   (d. 3-30-1946; b. 11-22-1871; w/o David A.; OC; Strates) “Orpha J Laney. Residence: Odessa, WA. Birth: 11-22-1871, Winsor, MO; Death: 3-30-1946, at 8303-46^th Street, Seattle, WA. Wife of David A. Laney. Age: 74 yrs 4 mos 8 days. Female, white, married, housewife. Father: James Brown, born Pike County, MO; Mother: Margaret Stark, born Pike Co, MO. Cause of death: stroke; Burial: Odessa Cemetery, Odessa, WA. Funeral: English Congregational Church, Tuesday, 2 p.m., Rev Galle, Interment: 4-02-1946. Fee: 2 graves at cemetery: $80.00; open and closing of grave: $12.50” (Mortuary Ledger)

Langlois, Velma I. Gans,  (added; d. Feb 9, 2005)  “Graveside services were held at Odessa Cemetery on Sunday, Feb 13, for Velma Irene Langlois, who died Wednesday, Feb 9, 2005, at Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia.  She was born in Odessa on Sept 1, 1925, the daughter of Otto and Mollie (Hardt) Gans. Velma grew up in Olympia, graduating form Olympia High School. She lived in Ephrata for 15 years in the 1950s and 1960s. She later returned to Olympia, where she worked for the State of Washington for many years, retiring from the Dept of Employment Security as a fiscal technician. She was active in Holy Trinity Church while living in Ephrata and in the Gospel Outreach Church of Olympia in recent years. She enjoyed hiking and walking.  Surviving are her children, Douglas, Bratton, David Gans, Bill Ray Langlois Jr, Casey Jones, Denise Bailey, Mollie Kirkendall and Mimi Roth; brothers Ervin Gans and Lauren Ganz and sister Shirley Clark, 12 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and an uncle, Bill Hardt, of Odessa.  A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2005, at the Gospel Outreach Church in Olympia. Arrangements were in charge of Mills & Mills Funeral Home, Tumwater, WA.” (Odessa Record: 2-17-2005)

Larson, Garry Carl,  (d. 1964; b. 1939; TS; OC; obit) “Gary Larson, 24, Spokane youth killed on Sunday when he was thrown from his car and crushed by the rolling vehicle following a skid across the highway in the Spokane Valley, was buried in the Odessa Cemetery on Wednesday.  Funeral services were held from the Christ Lutheran Church, the Rev Werner J. Fritz officiating. Pallbearers were Ronald Gibford, William Gibford, Joe Bennett, Daryl A. Cambell and Ronald D Williams of Spokane and Ivan Hemmerling of Marlin.  Larson was quite well known here from visits with Odessa relatives, and during the past four or five years had been taking in the hunting with the Gibfords at the Ivan Hemmerling ranch. Survivors include his mother, Lydia Clemenson, and step-father, John Clemenson, at the home; his father, Carl Larson, Belfair, WA; one brother, Archie Larson, Cashmere; one step-brother, Gary Clemenson, Spokane; two step-sisters, Mrs. Arlene Heimbigner, Spokane; and Mrs. Joyce Young, Indianapolis, IN.” (Odessa Record: 1-23-1964)

Lathrom, Sarah, 1930 "Mrs. S. W. Lathrom passed away in a Spokane hospital Monday evening after a short illness with pneumonia. Mrs. Lathrom was 71 years old and was widely known, having lived for many years in the Reardan country. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Steve; one daughter, Mrs. William Gott of Oregon; four sons, Walter of Coeur d’Alene; Ben and Roy of Reardan; Fred of Copeland, Idaho; one brother and three sisters in the east. The funeral services are to be held from the Evangelical Church at 10:30 a.m. this morning. Rev Hunsburger will officiate and interment will be in the local cemetery." (Reardan Gazette: 1-30-1930)

Lauer, Gertrude,  (d/o J. F. & M.)  (d. 6-25-1911; b. 6-23-1911; TS; OC; DC) “Gertrude Lauer. Female, white. Birth: June 23, 1911 at Lauer Station. Age: 3 days. Father: J. F. Lauer born Iowa; Mother: Martha Miesner born Germany. Informant: father. Death: June 25, 1911 at 2:15 p.m., 9 miles south of Odessa, County of Adams, WA. Cause of death: Immaturity, 7 or 8^th month child. Lee Ganson, MD. Burial: Odessa Cemetery on June 26, 1911.” (WA State Certificate of Death)  

Lauer, John Ferdinand,   (d. 1949; b. 1863; TS; OC; obit) “Funeral services for J. F. Lauer were held from the Odessa Emanuel Lutheran church with the Rev John Groschup of Spokane officiating. Strates Funeral Home was in charge. Pallbearers were Sol Reiman, Roscoe Reiman, George Luiten, Louis Zicha, Will Cordes and H. G. Cordes. Interment was in the family plot in the Odessa Cemetery. Mr. Lauer was born in Independence, Iowa in 1863, where he was educated. Later the family moved to Nebraska where he taught school for two years... He went to North Platte, NE, as a manager of one of Buffalo Bill Cody’s ranches, and became a personal friend of the famous Cody. Coming west in 1892, Mr. Lauer settled on a homestead west of Ritzville. He married Miss Martha Miesner of Ritzville in 1892. A few year later the family moved to the Lauer ranch south of Odessa where he acquired extensive land holdings.... His wife died in 1923, and in 1925 he married Mrs. Winnifred Breakey of Lawrence, KS. They moved to Spokane in 1928... Surviving him are four daughters, Miss Edna Lauer at the home in Spokane, Mrs. Henry Cordes of Spokane, Mrs. Fred Schorzman, Odessa, and Mrs. Alex Kramer (Rosa) of Harrington, six grandchildren....” (July 22, 1949-Citizen excerpt) “Death claimed John F. Lauer, Odessa pioneer, at Spokane this morning, and Glen Strate of the Strate Funeral Home went there to take charge of his remains. Mr. Lauer had made his home at Spokane for years, while maintaining his interests here. Lauer Station on the Milwaukee line south of here was named for him, this being the location of his former home.  Funeral arrangements had not been announced at press time. These will be made by Mr. Strate.” (Odessa Record: 7-14-1949) “Funeral services for John Ferdinand Lauer, 86, who died at Spokane on Thursday morning, were held from the UCC here on Sunday, the Rev John Groschupf of Emmanuel Lutheran church, Spokane, officiating. Burial was in the Odessa Cemetery, under the direction of the Strate Funeral Home.  Miss Leona Breakey, a step-granddaughter, sang, with Mrs. R. E. Suchland furnishing the piano and organ numbers.  Pallbearers included H. G. Cordes, Spokane; William Cordes, Davenport; George H. Luiten, Spokane; L. L. Zicha, Harrington; Sol Reiman, Bellingham, and Roscoe Reiman, Odessa.  J F Lauer was born in Independence, Iowa, in 1863, and received his education there. He later moved with his family to Nebraska, where he taught school for two years. Outdoor life appealed to him, so he later went to North Platte, NE, where he became a manager of one of Buffalo Bill Cody’s ranches, and while there grew to know him well. Mr. Lauer then decided to go west, and came to Ritzville in 1890. He settled on a homestead west of town. On Nov 3, 1892, he was married to Miss Martha Miessner of Ritzville. Later the family moved to the home ranch at Lauer station, before the railway came to Odessa or to the branch line there. He acquired extensive land holdings.  Always interested in school and civic affairs, he organized the Lauer school district and served as clerk until he moved to Odessa in 1921, serving on the school board here, and acting as justice of the peace for several years.  He was an organizer of the Odessa Union Warehouse company in 1909 and served as its secretary-treasurer for 38 years until ill health forced him to resign. For many years he was a director of the old Odessa State Bank. In 1923 Mrs. Martha Lauer died, at the age of 51. In 1925 Mr. Lauer was married to Mrs. Winifred Breakey of Lawrence, Kansas. They lived at Odessa until 1928, when they moved to Spokane. Mrs. Winifred Lauer died in 1941. Mr. Lauer continued his residence in Spokane.  He had been in poor health for the past two years. He became seriously ill a week before his death and died July 14, at the age of 86.  Survivors include four daughters, Miss Edna Lauer, at the home; Mrs. Mary Cordes, Spokane; Mrs. Fred C. Schorzman, Odessa, and Mrs. Alex Kramer, Harrington; 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, and a brother, Edward Lauer, Delmont, SD. Step-children surviving include Frank Breakey, Spokane; Dr Edward Breakey, Sumner, WA, and Mrs. R. S. Havenhill, Beaver, PA.” (Odessa Record: 7-21-1949)

Lauer, Martha,  (d. 1923; b. 1872; TS; OC; wife of John F.) “Martha Lauer, nee Misner, wife of J. F. Lauer, born 10 March 1872 in ‘Aspe bei Statde, Deutschland’. Married J. F. Lauer on 3 Nov 1892. Died in Spokane 13 May 1923, age 51 yrs 2 mos 3 days.” (Christ Lutheran Ledger)

Lauer, Winifred B.,   (d. 1941; b. 1872; TS; OC; 2^nd wife of John F.; obit) “Mrs. Winifred B. Lauer, step-mother of Mrs. Alex Kramer, passed away in Spokane Friday evening following a week’s illness of a heart ailment. Funeral services were held Monday, Sept 22, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, from the hoe on Seventh street. The Rev John M. Groschupf officiated, and graveside services were held at 4 o’clock at the Odessa Cemetery. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home was in charge. Mrs. Lauer was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran church and Adah chapter of Eastern Star. Surviving her are her widower, John F. Lauer at the home; sons, John F. Breakey, Spokane; Dr Edward Breakey, Puyallup; daughter, Mrs. R. S. Havenhill, Beaver, PA; six grandchildren, nieces, Mrs. Agnes V. Wills of NY and Mrs. Mary Schissler of Puyallup; step-daughters, Mrs. Kramer, Miss Edna Lauer, Mrs. Henry Cordes of Odessa and Mrs. Fred Schorzman of Ritzville.” (Citizen: 9-26-1941)

Law, Ruth (Giese), (added)  “Ruth (Giese) Law died Friday, April 29, 2005, in Chico, CA. She was 78 years old.  She was born on Dec 16, 1926, in Ruff, the daughter of August and Magdelena (Jeske) Giese.  For the past 17 year she lived in Orland, CA, with her daughter, Cheryl Law. She is survived by two sons, James Kenneth McDonough and Michael Allen McDonough; one daughter, Cheryl Ann Law; 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; three sisters, Lorena Oster and Marie DeWitt, both of Moses Lake, and Dorothea Catlow, of Ephrata, and one brother, Clifford Giese, of Moses Lake. Graveside services were held on May 9 at Odessa Cemetery. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.” (Odessa Record: 5-12-2005)

Lawlor, John,  (added: d. 7-05-1914) "John Lawlor, an Irish laborer, was struck and instantly killed by westbound Great Northern fast mail train No. 27, last Sunday evening at 8 o’clock. The accident happened 200 feet west of the depot when Lawlor attempted to cross in front of the rapidly moving train, but failed to clear the track. Immediately following the mishap Deputy Coroner Ganson was summoned to the scene and he appointed a coroner’s jury to make an investigation into the cause of the death, the jury being composed of J. C. Phillips, D. E. Schimke, Leo Guth, Hy W. Rieke, Jacob Wolsborn and A. G. Davis and was presided over by Justice Finlay. At the investigation the fact was brought out that the accident was witnessed by operator W Ramsey and the engineer of the train as well as a number of cronies of Lawlor with whom he had been drinking that evening. The engineer whistled for the crossing at the mill as he came into town and at that time Lawlor started to cross the tracks. The train was moving at a rat of from 25 to 28 mph according to the testimony of the engineer, and as he approached the slowly walking man he again gave a warning with the whistle. It is very probable that Lawlor thought he had crossed the main line and was on the side track, for he refused to even look up (he was walking from the Big Bend warehouse toward town) and before the train could be stopped he was struck by the pilot beam just as he was clearing the last rail. One more step would have saved his life. When picked up it was found that his left side had been caved in by the force of the collision, against his heart. his left leg and arm were broken, as well as the collar bone and his face badly bruised. The railroad company cannot be held responsible for his death for he had been warned by his friends not to attempt to cross at that time. They stated he was intoxicated when he left them. Lawlor has relatives in Dundalk, Ireland, three brothers and two sisters, besides a brother-in-law named Henneberry in San Francisco. Word was sent to the latter by Undertaker Stone, through the police department of that city, and the authorities answered that Henneberry had been notified by them, but he wired no word of any kind back regarding the disposition of the body, so it was interred yesterday afternoon in the Odessa Cemetery. A peculiar feature of the accident is the fact that the engine, No 1009, which was pulling the mail train, was the same one which struck a wagon in which John Geile and his son were riding, a few weeks ago, within 700 feet of the same place where Sunday night’s accident occurred." (Odessa Record: 7-10-1914)

Layton, infant  of A. F., (added) d. 12-15-1909 “The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Layton died Tuesday of pneumonia, aged one month, burial taking place at the Heimbigner Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. The Record joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved parents.” (Odessa Record: 12-17-1909)

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Odessa City Cemetery Obituaries, Odessa, Washington,  submitted 

to the WAGenweb March 2006 by Marge Womach

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