Christian Matthew Lauby

Christian Matthew Lauby, 96, of rural Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Monday, October 10, 2011, at his home near Lexington in the care of his children. He was born October 24, 1914, on the farm south of Darr to Michael J. and Elizabeth (Kjar) Lauby. Chris attended and graduated from Regis High School in Denver, CO. He was drafted in the United States Army and served with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron of the 61st Troop Carrier Group of the Army Air Force, serving in Africa, Sicily, Italy, England and France during WWII and was honorably discharged on September 16, 1945. On March 2, 1946, Chris was joined in holy matrimony to Leota Mae Wheeler at the St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. To this union, he was blessed with six sons and four daughters. He returned to rural Lexington after the war and helped install electricity on rural farmsteads, working for the Rural Electrification Administration. He farmed near the Darr Bridge southwest of Lexington throughout his life. He was a lifelong learner who loved to repair, to build and to share his knowledge with others. Survivors include his children, Gregory Lauby of Wymore, NE; Adrienne Lauby of Cotati, CA; George Lauby of North Platte, NE, Roy (Gretchen) Lauby of Wymore; Elizabeth (Rex Halterman) Lauby of Montrose, CO; William (Stacey) Lauby of Kearney; Veronica (Paul) Powell of Kearney; Paul Lauby of Lexington and Cecilia (Walt) Fick of Kearney; 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Virginia Wheeler of Kerrville, Texas and LaVaughn Lauby of Lexington. Chris was preceded in death by his wife Leota Mae in 2002; son Joseph in 1980, granddaughter Kirsten Volkman in 2003, grandson Levi in 1985, and six brothers and sisters. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 15, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Paul Colling officiating. There will be no visitation as Chris’s body has been cremated. A Wake Service will be held Friday, October 14, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the family c/o Paul Lauby of Lexington in support of Catholic education. Inurnment will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery at Lexington with Military Honors for the immediate family only. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.