LaurNell Jessie Strack

LaurNell Jessie Strack, 86, of Bolivar, went to her Heavenly Home Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar. LaurNell was born Dec. 23, 1926, to Jesse Matthew and Elmeda Helen Carey Blackburn.

She was a graduate of Bolivar High School class of 1944.

LaurNell and John Edward Strack, son of John Christopher and Anna A. Korger Strack, were married June 16, 1945, by the Rev. Arthur Hannah at her parents' home in Bolivar. This union was blessed by two children, Helen Ann and Jesse Christopher. She and John lived in Bolivar, then Nevada, Mo., for 24 years, returning to Bolivar in 1988.

LaurNell was employed by the state of Missouri for 36 years, retiring in 1989. She worked as resource investigator at State Hospital No. 3, Nevada, for 22 of those years. In addition, she worked for Missouri Division of Welfare, Division of Mental Health and Division of Aging. Prior to state employment, she worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Springfield and Titus Refrigeration in Bolivar.

LaurNell was a life-long member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church, being the third of four generations belonging to BUMC. She was a member of the Builders Sunday school class, was 4 years past president of United Methodist Women, was a life member of the CMH Auxiliary and the American Legion Post No. 138 Auxiliary. She is a past member of the International Order of Odd Fellows' Rebecca Lodge, the Federated Ladies Study Club, and the Facts and Fiction Club.

LaurNell was preceded in death by her husband, John, on May 22, 2004; her parents and John's parents; her only sister, Neva Mae Titus; brother-in-law, John Charles Titus; and nephew, A. Stewart Gardner.

LaurNell is survived by daughter, Helen Ann Stanek and her husband, Mike, of Bolivar; son, Chris (Jesse) Strack and his wife, Donna, of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughter, Karissa Strack; grandson, Shannon Lawrence; great-grandchildren, Kimri Strack, Kinnadi Pruitt, Emilie and Colton Lawrence; niece, Neva Charlene Gardner; great-nephew, John K. Gardner; God-daughter, Connie Henderson and her husband, Mike; "adopted children," Cindy and Ron Whitchurch; special cousins, Kay and Shirley Carey; stepgrandchildren, Candy Grigsby and her fiance, Ron Early, and Dylan and Michelle Smith; stepgreat-grandchildren, Katelyn and Noah Grigsby, Colin Stanek-Kump, Bridget Smith-Wilson, Alyssa Smith-Richard; and a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Bolivar United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. J.C. Harp. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Murray Funeral Home in Bolivar.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Bolivar United Methodist Church, 105 E Division St., Bolivar, Mo.

Online condolences may be submitted to www.murrayfuneralhomes.com.