Obituary
Guest Book
Oct
8
Services provided by
Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home - FairburyOnly 5 days left for delivery to next service.
Richard Clarence Lautenschlager, 89, of Fairbury, Nebraska passed away on September 30th, 2025. He was born on March 25th, 1936 in DeWitt, Nebraska to parents Clarence & Bessie (Musil) Lautenschlager. He grew up and worked on the family farm in DeWitt while attending country school and graduating from DeWitt High School in 1954 where he participated in FFA & Football. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for 1 year, completing his education remotely with Devry Institute of Technology. Richard proudly served in the Marine Corps for 6 years. He married Janet L. Shores on May 22nd, 1960. He was a bus mechanic and later the Transportation Supervisor for Fairbury Schools until his retirement in 2000. He was also active in various local organizations including the Fairbury Museum Board.
Richard is preceded in death by parents Clarence & Bessie, infant sister, daughter Pamela, son Kelly, & in-laws Chester & Louise Shores.
Survivors include wife Janet, daughters Denise Blatny (Tracy Senstock), & April Stone (Justin), granddaughter Shandi Brown (Spencer), & grandchildren Reese & Dalton Stone & Memphis, Layla, Leiani, Avalon, Indiana & Talia Brown.
Per Richard’s request, a private, family service will be scheduled at a later date.
Memorial funds will be donated to Homeless No More Cat Rescue in Fairbury per Richard’s wishes and may be sent to Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home, PO Box 15, Fairbury, NE 68352.
A register book will be available for signing on Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 from 9am-4pm at Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreOct
8
Services provided by
Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home - FairburyOnly 5 days left for delivery to next service.