Irene Lucile (Meier) Laubhan, 97, of Russell died Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Irene was born September 18, 1914 in Havelock, Nebraska, the daughter of Alexander W. and Martha (Batt) Meier.  She grew up in Shattuck, Oklahoma and graduated from Shattuck High School.

Irene was united in marriage to Georg Emanuel Laubhan on April 4, 1937 in Shattuck, Oklahoma.  They made their home in Russell, Kansas.  This union was blessed with two children, John and Janet.  Georg preceded her in death on May 3, 1983.

Irene was a seamstress for many years, doing alterations and dressmaking in her home until she went to work as an assistant to Dr. Elmer Kuhn from 1959 to 1983.  She returned to seamstress work including alterations for Banker’s Department Store until they closed. 

Irene was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  She also was a member of the Busy Stitchers Club, Order of the Eastern Star, and was a senior companion for about 13 years.  She retired at the age of 93.

Surviving family include her daughter, Janet Flickinger (Jon) of Salina, Kansas; son, John Laubhan of Russell, Kansas; four grandchildren: Jamie (Larry) Farmer of Salina, Kansas; Julie (Gary) Hudson of Denton, Texas; Jon “Marty” (Traci) Flickinger of Topeka, Kansas; and Jered (Tracy) Flickinger of Austin, Texas; eight great grandchildren, Michael (Betsy) Anderson of Monticello, Arkansas; Garrett and Braden Anderson of Manhattan, Kansas; Jessica (Brett) Nelson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lindsey Flickinger of Manhattan, Kansas; Jordan Flickinger and Aubrey Flickinger of Topeka, Kansas; and Stella Flickinger of Austin, Texas; three sisters-in-law, Betty Laubhan and Eleanor Laubhan both of Russell, Kansas and Ruth (Laubhan) Sands of Hobbs, New Mexico.  She was preceded in death by her parents, step mother Cassie Meier, sisters Esther Schoenhals and Norma Jean Witzel and brother Cal Meier.

Celebration of Irene’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 15, 2012 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Friday, September 14, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.