Elizabeth A. "Liz" Lerchen

OLEAN - Elizabeth A. "Liz" Lerchen, of 272 Hamilton Ave., Olean, passed away on Wednesday (May 9, 2018) at Olean General Hospital, following a lengthy illness.

Liz was born on March 14, 1925, in Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and was a daughter of Paul and Helen Barczewski Preuss. On Sept. 6, 1947, at the Good Shepherd Church in Inwood, she married her husband of 53 years, Frank G. Lerchen, who predeceased her on March 26, 2001.

Liz graduated on May 29, 1943, from the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary. She moved to Olean after her husband's passing in March of 2001.

Liz was an avid reader and enjoyed housekeeping, kibitzing and crossword puzzles. She loved her pets, and in her earlier years was an avid bowler.

Liz is survived by a son, Gary G. (Diana Klapakis) Lerchen of Olean.

Along with her loving husband, Liz was predeceased by a sister, Christel Dingwall; and a brother, Paul Preuss, on April 17, 2018.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (May 11, 2018) in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday (May 12, 2018) at which time a prayer service will be held, followed at 11:30 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial, in St. John's Church. Father Patrick Melfi, pastor, will celebrate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 931 N. Union St., Olean, NY 14760 or to the Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd St., NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.

Online condolences may be made at LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com.