Lawrence J. Guenther

Lawrence James Guenther, 85, died Friday, January 11, 2013 at North Point Skilled Nursing Facility in Paola, Kansas. Lawrence was born April 2, 1927 in Gary, Indiana the youngest of nine children, born to Theodore and Lillian (Janssen) Guenther. A child of the depression era, Lawrence grew up in the Gary and Fort Wayne, Indiana areas. During his teenage years, Lawrence held several jobs, including delivering grocery store ads and "The Saturday Evening Post" door to door. He later got a job at Sears stocking shoes and advanced to selling shoes by the time he was in junior high. During the summers, Lawrence worked in area steel mills as a laborer; he would ride street cars to and from work, giving his paychecks to his parents to help with room and board, keeping only enough money for street car fares and some savings bonds. Lawrence graduated from Telleston High School in Gary, Indiana in the class of 1945. He was drafted into the army near the end of World War II, spending 17 months in the service, first in Indiana and finally in San Antonio, Texas as a Medical Aide. After he completed his military service, Lawrence returned to Gary, Indiana and returned to work in the steel mill, where he saw an advertisement for a small college in Atchison, Kansas in the "Farmers Almanac". He used a pay phone at a local drug store to call Benedict"s College, and left soon on a train heading to Kansas to attend college on the G.I. Bill. He majored in Business with a minor in Philosophy, working in the school library while in attendance. During the summer between his junior and senior years at college, Lawrence traveled to Europe, by boat, with a group of Benedict students, traveling through France and Italy. While in Italy, the students attended Mass at the Vatican where Lawrence and another student were asked to lead the procession. Along with this request came the honor of meeting Pope Pius XII. Lawrence graduated from Benedict"s in the spring of 1951 and was hired by Montgomery Ward as a buyer in the hardware department. He moved to Kansas City at the time and was introduced to his future wife, Hildegard Michenfelder, by her cousin and Lawrence"s roommate in college. During his time in Kansas City, Lawrence worked as a hardware buyer for Wards, Richard and Conover and finally Sears. They were married May 15, 1954 at St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park, Kansas and became the proud parents of 12 children: Katrina, Lisa, Chris, Kurt, Eric, Gretchen, Hilde, Bart, Carla, Gabriella, Lawrence and Fred. The couple spent most of their time in Westwood, Kansas in a three story home on Mission Road near St. Agnes Grade School and Bishop Miege High School. Lawrence sang in the St. Agnes Church Choir, and participated in Perpetual Adoration. While pregnant with their youngest child, Mrs. Guenther was diagnosed with breast cancer and died in May of 1970. Following the death of his wife, Lawrence became concerned about raising 12 children in an urban setting. He sold his property and moved the family to a Grade A Dairy Farm west of Paola in June, 1973. The family became members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, where Lawrence used his God given talents as a cantor, leading the music at 8:00 a.m. masses with his longtime accompanist Laurence Boehm. He also sang with the Spring Hill Chorale for several years. He served as the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus in Paola. He was also a Third Order Benedictine. On July 8, 1983, Lawrence was married to Mary (Rothwell) Kessler and the couple was married for ten years. Mary brought to the union her eight children. Their favorite pastimes included having their children"s families in for home cooked meals. They also enjoyed square dancing. In June, 1996, Lawrence traveled with the "Moms on Tap" for a nine day trip to London, England and Paris, France. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip, serenading the group with "Danny Boy", in the hotel lobby in Paris, while it rained outdoors. Lawrence served as Miami County Commissioner representing the 2nd District for 2 terms from 1989-1997. During his tenure, Lawrence was honored to be part of the planning and construction of Miami County Medical Center and the Miami County Administration Building. He also served as a Silver Haired Legislator for Miami County, the Mid-America Council on Aging Board and Farm Bureau Board. He was a member of American Legion Post #156. In the 1990"s, Lawrence became friends with a talented musician, Jack Floyd. They traveled to Branson, Mexico, Alaska, Washington D.C., New England, New Orleans, Hawaii, the Caribbean and San Diego. They attended Starlight Theater, Theater in the Park, the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Ballet. They also recorded three tapes of favorite songs with Jack on the piano and Lawrence providing the vocals. Lawrence loved the time he spent with his family and held a special place in his heart for each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending as many of their activities as possible. Besides singing, Lawrence enjoyed drawing, mostly with charcoal, including designing a Christmas card of the Nativity. He was a collector of wood carvings and pipes. In June, 1972, Lawrence was selected the "Father of the Year" by "The Kansas City Star" and was recognized with an article on the front page on Father"s Day. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer"s, Lawrence resided with his daughter, Hilde and his son-in-law Randy Moser and their family for five years. With the help of his sons, Chris and Lawrence, he was able to attend Mass on Sundays during this time. This was very important to him. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, his wife, Hildegard and her parents, Willy and Hildegard Michenfelder; a son, Kurt Guenther, a daughter-in-law, Terri (Tooley) Guenther, and a great granddaughter, Hailey Springer. He is survived by eleven of his children; Katrina (Guenther) Greub of Shawnee, Kansas; Lisa (Guenther) and Bill Hauldren of Paola, Kansas; Chris and Sharon Guenther of Paola, Kansas; Eric Guenther of Ottawa, Kansas; Gretchen (Guenther) and Butch Walters, of Paola, Kansas; Hilde (Guenther) and Randy Moser of Paola, Kansas; Bart and Michelle Guenther of Overland Park, Kansas; Carla (Guenther) and Mike Kepley of Chanute, Kansas; Gabriella Guenther of Lenexa, Kansas; Lawrence and Lisa Guenther of Stilwell, Kansas; and Dr. Frederick and Stephanie Guenther of Rich Hill, Missouri, forty-four grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren, brother & sister-in-law Chester and Gretel Eigenman and their six children and numerous other nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to Holy Trinity Church in Paola, Kansas. To leave a favorite memory go to the share memory tab. Holy Trinity Catholic Church 501 E. Chippewa Paola, KS Service: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 10:00 AM Visitation: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM