Ethel Mae (Eigsti) Lausen was born May 20, 1928, on a farm near Milford, to Amos and Edith May (Smith) Eigsti, the youngest of 10 children, and passed away Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, at Tabitha Care Center in Crete at the age of 92.
As a young girl, Ethel attended West Mills Country School and furthered her education by attending Southwestern University in Waxahachie, Texas, graduating as valedictorian in 1953, studying business. Ethel was employed in Nebraska and California before marrying Harold Lausen in Friend in 1967. She was asked to join Metal Exchange Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri, when it was started in 1974, as a financial vice president, working there until her retirement in 2016. She and Harold enjoyed traveling and spending their winters in Arizona. Harold died in 2000 and Ethel then moved to Friend. She was very active in her churches that she was involved in and supported many missionaries over the years.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Caroline Eigsti, Friend; sisters-in-law, Pauline Shaul and Jean Lausen; and several nieces and nephews.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold in 2000; brothers, Roy, Ralph, Harry, Elmer, Richard and Earl Eigsti; sisters, Mildred Youngquist, Gladys Eigsti and Grace House.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Memorial contributions are suggested to Friend Christian Assembly Missions. An informal gathering will take place at Friend Christian Assembly Church following the committal. Condolences may be left for the family at www.lauberfh.com.
