William J. Lauber

Notes:

Revered funeral director, father, brother, and grandfather William (Bill) J. Lauber, of Milford, passed away on March 17, 2022, north of Pond Creek, Oklahoma at the age of 59.

Bill was born in Geneva, NE on December 19, 1962, the youngest child of Wendell W. Lauber and Norma R. (Kuiken) Lauber. Bill was a 1981 graduate of Geneva High School, attended Kearney State College, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in Mortuary Science. During his college years he was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In January 1992, Bill purchased the Moore's Funeral Homes of Friend, Milford, and Beaver Crossing where he spent many years conducting funerals for various families and communities.

Bill's career legacy was laced with achievement. In 2002-2003 he represented the State of Nebraska serving as the President of the Nebraska Funeral Director's Association and also served as a Policy Board Member for the National Funeral Director's Association. Bill later went on to serve a five year term on the Board of Examiners, Funeral Directors and Embalmers, and the Nebraska State Department of Health. Up until his passing he was the chairman of the Legislative Committee for the NeFDA and was instrumental in various legislative bill passages. In 2018 he opened Blue Valley Crematory as an addition to Lauber Funeral Homes to serve the communities increasing needs for crematory services.

Bill was also a part of various community organizations including being a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, Milford Chamber of Commerce, Milford Kiwanis Club, Milford and Friend Masonic Lodges, Shrine, Scottish Rite and Order of the Eastern Star.

In addition to his lengthy career, Bill was known for his family values and larger than life personality. Bill was married to his high school sweetheart, Christine M. Merritt, on June 28th, 1986 in Norfolk, Nebraska. From this union came four children: Whitney, Michael, Madison, and Regan Lauber. Bill enjoyed the outdoors and lived life to the fullest, participating in many activities to include boating, flying, golfing and scuba diving. He particularly loved boating and created a family tradition of spending a week at the Lake of the Ozarks annually. Bill also had a passion for flying after obtaining his pilot's license and spent the past several years traveling the country with his beloved wife and family flying his father's Twin Engine Comanche plane. Bill will be remembered for his vivacious spirit, animated jokes and stories, and devotion to his Christian faith. He was an avid Husker football fan, sports connoisseur, and had a taste for eclectic music that ranged from punk to the classics.

Survivors include daughter and son in law, Whitney and Colton Chrisman of Lincoln, NE, son Michael Lauber and girlfriend Kaylee Chrisman of Lincoln, NE, and daughter Madison Lauber and boyfriend Caden Foster, of Austin TX, brother Jerry and sister-in-law Sharon Lauber of Geneva, NE, twin brothers Brad and Bryan Lauber of Geneva, step mother Louise Lauber of Lincoln, step brothers Chris and Sally Barnard of Lincoln, Paul and Linda Barnard of Aliso Viejo, CA, grandchildren Carver and Kyla Chrisman of Lincoln, NE, father and mother-in-law James and Elenore Merritt of Norfolk, NE, brother and sisters-in-law Steve and Kathie Merritt of Kearney, NE, David and Heidi Merritt, Brent and Cary Meyer, Patrick and Mary Hammond all of Norfolk, NE, Aunt Helen Witmer, cousin Eric and Susan Witmer all of Philipsburg, KS along with several nephews, nieces, cousins and relatives.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Wendell and Norma Lauber, and uncle Claiton Lauber.

(Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy)
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William married Christine Marie Merritt on 28 Jun 1986 in Norfolk, Madison County, Nebraska. Christine was born on 14 May 1963 in Fremont, Dodge County, Nebraska; died on 17 Mar 2022 in Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Cherished sister, daughter, aunt and friend Regan Victoria Lauber, of Milford, Nebraska, passed away on March 17, 2022, north of Pond Creek, Oklahoma, at the age of 21.
Regan was born in Lincoln, NE, on August 17, 2000, as the youngest child of William (Bill) and Christine (Christy) Lauber. Regan was a Milford High School graduate of 2018 and was in her senior year of college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, set to graduate in May 2022 with her Bachelor of Arts in English. Regan aspired to continue her education and wanted to move to Austin, Texas, to be with her sister, Madison, while attending graduate school. Regan was an exceptional reader and writer and particularly liked reading fiction, young adult, and gothic novels. She also wrote a book with her dear friend Kyhana that they were planning to publish. During Regan's high school career she was heavily involved in dance, being a member of the Milford High School dance team along with participating in Milford's Elements Dance Concept where she competed in dance doing ballet, point, jazz, pom, production and hip hop. Regan also helped teach dance as an instructor and was loved by her students. In addition to performing on stage as a dancer, Regan was part of the Milford Speech team where she excelled in acting and was known to be able to impersonate anyone.

Regan was the youngest sibling of the Lauber family, with older siblings Whitney, Michael and Madison. She will be remembered for her artistic qualities, her uncanny humor, her admiration for One Direction boy band, love for music and making playlists for her friends and family, her tendency to stay up playing SIMS computer game relentlessly, her beauty and being a renowned make up artist. Anyone who met Regan was inspired by her tenacity for life and genuine kindness.

Regan is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Whitney and Colton Chrisman of Lincoln, NE, nieces Carver and Kyla Chrisman of Lincoln, NE sister Madison Lauber and boyfriend Caden Foster of Austin, TX, brother Michael Lauber and girlfriend Kaylee Chrisman of Lincoln, NE, grandparents James and Elenore Merritt of Norfolk, NE, uncle and aunt Steve and Kathie of Kearney, NE, aunts and uncles Cary and Brent Meyer, Mary and Patrick Hammond, Heidi and David all of Norfolk, NE, uncle and aunt Jerry and Sharon, uncles Bryan and Brad Lauber all of Geneva, NE, cousins Mackenzie and Ryan Swogger of Omaha, NE, Tessa and Emerson Meyer, Benjamin and Max Hammond, Maggie and Kate Merritt all of Norfolk, NE, cousins Bradley Jr and Stacy Lauber, Dana and Whitney Lauber, Phil Lauber all of Geneva, NE along with second cousins Macye and Kyle Witmer and Malorie Greene, among other relatives.

Regan is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Christy Lauber, grandparents Wendell and Norma Lauber, cousin Karoline Lauber, and great-grandparents, and dear friend, Trevyn Roth.
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