Joan Alice (Leininger) Lawrence 94, of Archbold OH, died at Fairlawn Haven on December 9, 2022.
She was born on February 26, 1928 to Otto and Cora (Vonier) Leininger. Joan was second to the youngest of nine children.
On May 25, 1947 she married Harlen Vern Lawrence, who preceded her in death on December 27, 2020. They were married over 73 years.
Joan was a homemaker and farm wife in every sense of the word.
She worked with her husband, Harlen, on the family farm as they crop farmed, raised beef cattle and had a large poultry egg farm.
In addition to her help on the farm and many talents, Joan enjoyed canning, freezing, sewing, and gardening for those she loved.
She also grew flowers and arranged bouquets to give to others. She and Harlen were members of the Tedrow United Methodist Church where they faithfully served.
Joan experienced God’s forgiveness in 8th grade and in her more recent days she re-committed her life to Christ and received the assurance of her salvation.
She loved little children and was the teacher for Vacation Bible School for many years.
She enjoyed the funny things they had to say and later enjoyed stories from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Years of laughing, singing and dressing up for comedy skits with Harlen at the club house in Clearwater Florida and the Wauseon Senior Center gave them many years of enjoyment.
Surviving are her four children, Jill Lawrence (Rich Kunz) of Eagle Idaho, Jack (Nancy) Lawrence of Wauseon, Jennifer (Steve) Kauffman of Archbold, and Julie (Jeff) Kinzel of Swanton. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren as well as her sister, Luana Haskell of Ft Wayne, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings Margaret Smith, Hazel Weber, Helen Graber, Pauline Webb, Orville Leininger, Betty Nofziger, and Kathryn Aeschliman.
Visitation is Thursday, December 15th from 3:00-7:00 pm at Short Funeral Home, in Archbold. ***Due to Covid in the family some of the family members will not be present at the visitation (please wear a mask).*** Burial will be at 2:00 pm Friday, December 16 at the Tedrow Cemetery. The memorial services and luncheon have been cancelled.
At her request, memorials may be given to the Fulton County Senior Center, St Jude’s Children’s Research Center, or the donor’s choice. www.ShortFuneralHome.com