Arlene Florence Westerhouse Lawson
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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.
Kaye and Kenny, Your mom was a wonderful person who raised two amazing kids. I’m sorry for your loss. RIP Arlene.
Kaye and family,
Praying for you all as you grieve the loss of your mother and grandmother. Praying for the Lord to comfort you and give you peace.
May you find comfort, peace & joy in the many shared memories of your mother. She was sweet, kind and generous. She was always working on several projects at the same time.
Kaye and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. What a lovely woman. It is wonderful that you had her for so many years. You were blessed. My prayers are with you.
Kaye and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. What a lovely woman. It is wonderful that you had each other for so many years. You were blessed. My prayers are with you.
Kenny Kaye & Families
Sharon & I want you to know y’all are in our thoughts & prayers.
She was a wonderful lady and will be missed
Sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. My heart goes out to you all.
Arlene’s smile showed the deep love of Christ to everyone. She had that “spark” which lit up the best in people. She seemed very patient and understanding.
I remember Arlene and Pete when we moved to Eudora and my parents joined the Eudora Methodist Church. Lawson’s were in church every Sunday at Sunday School and in worship service. They were the class who invited my parents to join. Great memories! That Sunday School Class did so many kindnesses for each other and the Eudora community through the years.
Arlene and Pete brought a car load of Church family out to our Home Blessing by Pastor Jeff. What an uplifting time we all had with the Blessing and then the time to visit with all the friends from EUMC. Later Arlene and Pete moved from Church Street over East and asked Pastor Jeff to Bless their Home. It was so meaningful to be there with them.
When we had moved into our new building Arlene quietly designed and made absolutely gorgeous banners and paraments for the sanctuary! These had to be studied and looked at in different lighting to appreciate all the nuances she had put into each one. After the fire in the Sanctuary and church those were gone! Kaye did Arlene have a photo record of these? She selflessly gave of her very best.
The many Quilt Shows Arlene entered her quilts in the Eudora Area were a feast for the eyes and hearts of all who walked through the quilts on display. Going into Quilting Bits and Pieces soothed the soul when reading about some of the aprons or other items were made by Arlene to show how a pattern might be made or some new design might be done with materials on sale there.
You, Kenny, John, Sharon, and all the family were very blessed to have Arlene and Pete for your parents.
I loved my time with Pete and Arlene at the garage..Great people, she will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you all.. Trig & Jeanette