Service Time:  3:00 P.M.
Day and Date:  Monday, April 5, 2010
Location:  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary - Russell, KS
Visitation & Guest Book Registration:  9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Monday, April 5, 2010 at the mortuary.

Burial:  Russell City Cemetery - Russell, Kansas
Memorial  St. Mark's Lutheran in Salina, Kansas.

Lawrence Lester Strecker, 86, of Rose Hill, Kansas, formerly of Russell, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Lake Point Nursing Center in Rose Hill.  Lawrence was born February 11, 1924 in Milberger, Kansas, the son of Ferdinand and Susana (Brack) Strecker. 

Lawrence graduated from Hoisington High School in 1942 and joined the Army August 13, 1943.  He served in the Philipines during World War II and earned the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on Leyte Island and was discharged in April of 1946.  He returned to Kansas where he farmed and worked in the oil fields. He became a barber in 1956 and owned the Blue Chair barbershop in Russell for years.  Also a musician, Lawrence played guitar with his father’s family band and with his brother Orval’s band, The Gold Tones. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling and continued with his barbering at the local rest homes and hospital until he was no longer physically able to do so.

He married the former Voncile Spencer in October 1949, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage together until her death in August of 2009.  Lawrence is survived by his sons, Kevin (Rita) of Arkansas City and Scott (Alison) of Mulvane; grandchildren Alexis, Austin, Jael, Chloe, Sammy, and Abby; brothers Earl (Trudy) of Florida and Orval (Joyce) of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; sisters Wilmetta Karst of Sterling, Nebraska and Shirley (Gary) Cramer of Stockton; niece Sylvia Berner and her daughters Jessica, Lindsay, Sarah, and Brianna; many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Vernon and two sisters, Mabeline Schultz and Genevieve Nestler.

Celebration of Lawrence’s life will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, April 5, 2010 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  Interment will follow at the Russell City Cemetery where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will conduct military rites.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to service time Monday, with the family present to greet friends from 1:30 PM to service time.  A memorial has been established with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Salina.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.