Elizabeth “Betty” Lawler, 88 of Westside, died early Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2025 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail. The Celebrant will be Fr. Michael Cronin. Music will be by Irene Feilmeier and the St. Ann’s Choir. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Carol Venner. Gift Bearers will be Stephanie Miller – Nees, Abby Nees, and Zachary Hertzig. Casket Bearers will be Zachary Hertzig, Ken Venner, Oran Kohorst, Bill Lawler, George Schechinger, Joe Schechinger, and Mike Harpenau. A private family burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Vail. Friends and family are invited to a reception to honor Betty’s life at the Vail Community Building following the Funeral Mass.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Saturday at the church prior to the Funeral Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Betty’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Elizabeth was born on August 4, 1937 in Carroll, Iowa the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Steinkamp) Kohorst. She attended St. Angela’s School and later graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1956. On November 21, 1959, she was united in marriage to Fenton Lawler at St. John’s Catholic Church in Arcadia with Fr. Stork officiating.
Betty was a devoted homemaker and also worked in retail. She loved to socialize and go to dances with her husband Fenton. Betty was a member of Red Hats, Westside American Legion Auxiliary, and a lifelong member of St. Ann’s Parish in Vail where she served in many capacities over the years.
Survivors include her daughters: Lori (Rick) Hertzig of Bellevue, NE, and Monica (Joey) Cale of Westside; her grandchildren: Stephanie Miller-Nees, Abby Nees, and Zachary Hertzig; her sister, Jean Lawler of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Fenton; her sister, Mae Schechinger; and her brother, Vernon Kohorst.
