Vonda Eileen Lauer

Vonda “Eileen” Lauer, 92, of St. Joseph, went to be with her Lord & Savior on Thursday, December 1, 2016. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11 AM on Monday, December, 5, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Reverend Harris Hoekwater officiating. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery in Buchanan. Friends may visit with the family from 10 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph First United Methodist Church or Caring Circle. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Vonda had a lifelong passion for gardening and produced a vast array of both vegetables and flowers, a combination that always made her home deliciously fragrant.  She also loved her little dogs.  One lucky dog at a time got to spend his entire life being spoiled rotten.  Playing cards with a variety of wonderful ladies also gave her great joy.  There was definitely more socializing than card playing, but the women all cared for each other very much. Vonda will always be remembered for her giving nature, which she generously expressed through her culinary, seamstress and quilting talents.  She honored God by using those talents to benefit her community and church.  Over the decades countless delicious cookies, pies, cakes, and meals were carefully prepared for every church function imaginable.  When son, Richard, played high school football it was Vonda who sewed jerseys for the entire team.  She was a long-time participant in the Quilts of Valor Foundation program creating quilts to share with our service members and veterans who were touched by war.  And she devoted endless hours to the Prayer Shawl Ministry comforting those in need with beautiful crocheted shawls as an expression of unconditional love.  She was truly a servant of God. She is survived by her two daughters and son, and their spouses:  Sandra & Brad Taylor – Phoenix, Arizona, Wanda & Darrell Scates – St. Joseph, Michigan, and Richard & Fawn Sanford – Macon, Georgia; as well as Vonda’s sister, Mary Guyer – Warner Robins, Georgia.  She also enjoyed spending any time she could with her many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.