Esther Lawlor Esther Mae Lawlor, 98, of Rudyard, died Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Tendercare in Sault Ste. Marie.

She was born August 8, 1911, in Moran, the daughter of Otto August and Lena Mae (nee Foote) Luepnitz.

Mrs. Lawlor lived in Moran until age 13, when she began high school in St. Ignace. She worked for her room and board while attending high school and continued to work her way through County Normal Teachers College at Ferris College in Big Rapids.

When she finished school, she returned to Mackinac County, where she taught at Moran and Akrigg schools.

She married Thomas S. Lawlor June 16, 1935, in Moran and became a homemaker. After her husband was seriously injured in an accident, she worked as a substitute teacher at Rudyard Area Schools for two years and then full time as a teacher's aide for 15 years, retiring in 1974.

Mrs. Lawlor was the oldest charter member of the Rudyard Bible Church, where she was active as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher for many years. She served the church in various offices, was an officer and member of the Ladies' Missionary Society, and she sang in the church choir. Mrs. Lawlor also sang in the Hiawathaland Choir for many years, was a member of the Chippewa Retired School Personnel, and the Rudyard Senior Citizens. In 1963, she was runnerup for “Michigan Mother of the Year” as awarded by Michigan Farmer Magazine.

She enjoyed sewing and quilting. Over the years, Mrs. Lawlor made many quilts for ministers and missionaries.

She is survived by two sons and their families, Joseph and Marilyn Lawlor and Thomas and Valli Lawlor, all of Rudyard; one daughter and her family, Ruth and Bob LaBombard of Kincheloe; six grandchildren and their families, Paulette and Dennis Krumel, Jason Rangel, Joey and Shannon Lawlor, Thomas and Alicia Lawlor, Justin Black, and Trevor Lawlor; and eight great-grandchildren, Thomas Rangel, Peter Lawlor, Danielle Lawlor, Nicholas Lawlor, Jadon Lawlor, Kallen Lawlor, Paige Lawlor, and Ashlynn Lawlor. Also surviving are three brothers and their families, August Luepnitz of DeWitt, Albert Luepnitz of Longview, and Carl and Helen Luepnitz of Temple, Texas; and three sisters, Lena Cartwright of Sault Ste. Marie, Ethel Lovegrove of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Minnie Kievit of St. Ignace.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, who died September 11, 1977; one brother, Otto Luepnitz, and one sister, Carrie Luepnitz.

Services were Saturday, June 5, at Rudyard Bible Church. Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the service at 1 p.m. conducted by Pastor LeRoy Case. Burial was in North Rudyard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rudyard Bible Church, 11124 West Main Street, P.O. Box 155, Rudyard, Michigan 49780.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.