On Sunday, June 7, 2020, Therma Launius, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri.
Therma was born on August 14, 1933 in Stoddard County, Missouri to Uless and Virgie Harget. On August 24, 1972, she married John Launius to whom she was wed for 36 years.
Therma was a people person and one of her greatest joys was visiting with family and friends. She had a kind and compassionate spirit, and friends would say what a beautiful lady she was inside and out. She was also known for her quick wit, and when anyone would ask her how she was doing, she would smile and reply “mean as ever”! She greatly loved her family, friends and her caregivers at Cypress Point.
Therma was a fabulous cook and she would often share her gift with others by making and decorating cakes for family weddings and special occasions. She greatly enjoyed crocheting, making jewelry and creating wreaths. She never had idle hands and she was an avid reader. When her children were young, one of her favorite activities was taking them to the sand dunes in Albuquerque to hunt arrowheads on Sunday after Mass. She devoted much of her time and energy to her children where she was a Girl Scout leader and room mother for all 5 of her children.
She was blessed with a strong faith in God and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter.
She was not afraid of hard work. She and her husband John raised cattle, and she could often be found right beside him at the head catcher for immunizations. She did like to “name” a few of her favorite cows, even though she knew they would be leaving at some point. Her husband John, lovingly called her “Big Red”, in reference to her big red hairdo. For many years, she worked as a waitress, where her welcoming personality and friendly smile made her a favorite among customers. She was also part owner of a Mexican restaurant in Bloomfield. One of the things she instilled in her children was to always be respectful and courteous to waitresses, and to tip well!
Her proudest accomplishments were being a good wife and mother. She was supportive of all her children, encouraging kindness and generosity. If her children or the grandkids needed her, she was always there for them with a smile and hug. She was fun to be around, always laughing and cutting up, and she will always be remembered as the most loving mother and grandmother. We will greatly miss her nightly calls, “Goodnight, I love you”.
In addition to her husband John and her parents, she was predeceased by two sons, James L. Webber, an infant and Jeffrey B. Webber; by her sister, Carolyn Blake and by two brothers, Bob Harget and Gary Harget.
She is survived by four daughters, Cathy (Gene) Kirby of Dexter, Mary (Bob) Armour of Poplar Bluff, Theresa Brown of Bernie, and Ann (Nelson) Berbling of Sikeston. As well as one son, Raymond L. Webber III of Bloomfield. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Shelly McMullin, Tina Wolfinger, Denise Brown, Dennis Brown Jr., Tara Webber, Matt Webber, Mandy Pratt, Katie Pratt, Mark Pratt, Jon Berbling, Neil Berbling, and Chris Berbling; by eighteen great-grandchildren; by six great-great-grandchildren; and by many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Cypress Point for the wonderful care she received while residing there.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Justin Sponaugle officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Friday, June 12, 2020.
Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or Faith Lutheran Church, 1002 Saddle Spur Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
