Beth Lawler

Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Lawler, 94, of Paxton, passed away April 20, 2016 at the Sutherland Care Center.

Beth was born January 7, 1922 to Fred and Pearl (Pulley) Latimer on a farm northwest of Maywood, Nebraska. She attended a one-room country school for the first five years of her education, where she had perfect attendance. Beth transferred to Maywood Public Schools in the sixth grade. She finished her education in North Platte, where she graduated with the class of 1939. In the next few years following high school, she nannied and was a homemaker. In April 1941, she started work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in North Platte as an operator, she then advanced to supervisor and trained toll operators.

Beth met Donald Lawler in December of 1947 and they were united in marriage on September 4, 1948 and moved to a farm/ranch just outside of Paxton where Donald worked with his father. To this union two sons were born, David and Jerome.

Beth belonged to the Altar Society at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, she was a den mother while her boys were in Cub Scouts, and attended the boys' activities at school. She was an officer in PTA in Paxton, a charter member of the Riverview Extension Club until it was disbanded. She then joined Willing Workers until it changed to CEO. Beth held offices in both and was nominated Keith Co. Homemaker of the year in 1981. She belonged to the RSVP at Ogallala where she served on the council for many years.

Beth's hobbies included sewing, embroidery, cooking and canning, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, playing bridge, reading, as well as traveling.

Following the passing of her husband in December 1982, she continued helping David on the farm/ranch until 2007 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. On March 12, of 2013, she moved to Sutherland Care Center and spent many hours folding laundry to keep her busy.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents; her mother- and father-in-law; sisters, Leona Reily and Dorothy Cox; brother, Clarence Latimer; sister-in-law, Evlon Latimer; three brothers-in-law, Jack Reilly, Earnest Cox, and Gene Peters; and two nephews, Dwight and John Cox.

Survivors include her sons, David A. Lawler of Paxton, NE and Jerome A. (Laura) Lawler of Eaton, CO; grandson, Kurt D. Lawler of Lincoln; step-grandson, Logan Meacham of Bonner Springs, KS; three step great-granddaughters, Lillian, Bella and Olivia; sister, Doris Peters; sister-in-law, Devona Latimer of North Platte; along with three nephews and two nieces, John Reilly of New Britian, CT, Harland Latimer of Yankton, SD, Scott Peters of North Platte, Sharon Collins of Broken Bow, and Karen Bernstein of Palm City, FL; as well as many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory. Condonlences may be shared at www.prairiehillsfuneralhome.com , where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Paxton with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Burial will follow in the Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in North Platte, NE.

Visitation will be on Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 PM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.