r of nine children in her family. She attended school in Sterling and graduated from St. Anthony's High School in 1947.
Irene worked as a waitress in both Sterling and Greeley for fifty-five years, serving people with love and great joy. She graced many local restaurants with her hard work and outgoing personality. Irene enjoyed working with people and always went above and beyond the norm to take care of her customers.
Irene was an amazing cook and baker. She strove to keep her German-Russian heritage alive through many of her culinary creations. Every family holiday and birthday was made special because of her delicious treats. Through the years, she faithfully remembered these celebrations for each member of her family. She and her husband, Albert, enjoyed searching for treasures, frequenting garage sales weekly. She also enjoyed yearly "sister trips" with her four sisters for many years. However, the most important thing in Irene's life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Irene was a devout Catholic, and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church from 1973 until her death. She was an incredibly nurturing mother and grandmother, who worked tirelessly for the rights of unborn children through her work with Birthright International. Irene was a woman with strong convictions and beliefs. She often shared her thoughts with our community by authoring Letters to the Editor of the Greeley Tribune. Throughout the years, Irene was also an avid supporter of both Greeley West and Greeley Central High School athletics, and of American Legion Baseball.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, a sister and two nephews. Survivors are; three daughters, Sherry Cantonwine and husband, Mike, and Carrie Westhoff and husband, Pat, all of Greeley, and Pam Leamons and husband, Kirk, of Loveland; four sons, Richard Lauer and wife, Cheryl, of Eaton, Rodney Lauer and wife, Chrissy, of Greeley, Thomas Lauer and wife, Patricia, of Baltimore, MD, and A.J. Lauer and wife, Mary, of Greeley; three sisters and two brothers, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Stoddard Funeral Home. Recitation of the rosary will be at St. Mary Catholic Church, Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:00 am following Mass of the Christian Burial at 11:30 am then graveside services will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley, Colorado.
A reception to celebrate Irene's life will follow her interment at St Mary Catholic Church in Greeley, Colorado.
Memorial gifts may be made to TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado or The Pregnancy Resource Center in memory of Irene Lauer, in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley, CO 80634.