Laurena Dreier of Wayland died Wednesday, March 16. She was 94.
She was born to William and Lillian Mauchmar on Nov.28, 1921. The firstborn and oldest child in her family, Laurena was later joined by her younger siblings, Loren, Ethelyn, and William “Bill.”
Laurena learned to play the violin and later, the organ, during her youth. Throughout her life she continued to play the organ and occasionally she had the privilege of playing in her brother’s band. Having grown up in Wayland, Laurena attended the local schools and went on to graduate from Wayland High School, afterward working as a dance instructor.
She married Oliver Dreier, a young man whose family owned a farm in nearby Plainwell and they welcomed the births of two children into their hearts and home, son, William “Bill” came along in 1947, and their daughter, Betty completed their family in 1954.
As a young couple, Laurena’s husband supported their family when he bought into the Harding’s Grocery business. Having lived in Plainwell for many years, their family eventually moved to Wayland then Paw Paw to run their store.
While Oliver worked at the store, Laurena remained at home as a homemaker and raised their family. An avid lover of felines, there was always a cat or two around their home for Laurena to dote on.
In her free time, Laurena enjoyed playing Bunko with some of her girlfriends. She also did ceramics for many years.
Since Oliver worked so much, family vacations were rare, but in the late 1960s they began going to Naples, Fla. After Oliver’s death in 1973 due to cancer, she began traveling extensively with her mother and later, with her daughter, Betty.
She remained alert and active until about the age of 90, and for her 90th birthday party she celebrated with her family, even dancing with her brother. It was around this same time when Laurena began residing in an assisted living facility.
A graveside service will be announced. Members of Laurena’s family include her daughter, Betty (Art) Huff of Gobles; two grandchildren: Tammy (Ken) Washburn and Nikki (Steve) Sunlin; two great-grandchildren: Brandon and Blaine; two step-grandsons: Dan (Courtney) Huff and Dustin (Colleen) Huff; two step great-grandchildren: Avery and Blake; her sister, Ethelyn McBride, and her brother, Bill Mauchmar, both of Wayland.
