Obituaries

Viola Lawrence

Photo of Viola Lawrence
Mrs. Viola Lawrence, age 92 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., went home to be with her Lord on Friday, December 10, 2010, at Jefferson City Manor Care Center. Mrs. Lawrence was born on October 26, 1918, in Alpena, S.D., a daughter of John and Anna (Nuss) Neiffer. She was married on December 2, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Joren Samuel Lawrence, who preceded her in death on December 29, 1999. She was employed at Ely Walker Factory in Illmo, Mo. for several years until she moved to Chicago in 1959. While living in Chicago she worked at Western Electric, Motorola, and Xerox. In 1970, she moved to Mount Vernon, Ill., where she was employed at General Radiator until her retirement in 1980. A resident of the Jefferson City area since 1994, she was a member of Concord Baptist Church. Viola enjoyed making crafts, growing flowers and music of any kind. Survivors include: two sons, Richard A. Lawrence and his wife Doris of Jefferson City, Mo. and Francis J. Lawrence and his wife Barbara of West Chicago, Ill.; two sisters, Martha Strub of Blackhawk, S.D. and Alvina Maher of Huron, S.D.; two brothers, John Neiffer and Alfred Neiffer both of Huron, S.D.; six grandchildren, Dean Lawrence, Mark Lawrence, Randy Lawrence, Ryan Lawrence, Robbie Lawrence, and Rachel Lawrence; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Paul R. Lawrence; three sisters, Irene Neiffer, Lillian Vilhauer, and Emma Timm; and two brothers, Paul Neiffer and Luvern Neiffer. Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 13, 2010, at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Elmhurst, Ill., with the Reverend George Garrison officiating. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Concord Baptist Church or Hospice Compassus of Jefferson City. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com

Published December 12, 2010