Helen Marie Laux
October 29, 1921 ~ May 29, 2019
Helen Marie Laux, 97, of Jefferson City, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Oak Tree Villas.
She was born October 29, 1921, near Irondale, Missouri, the daughter of the late Theodore and Rowena (Harris) Laux.
She was a 1939 graduate of Irondale High School where as a junior she wrote "Irondale, Yesterday and Today," and as a senior she represented Washington County at the Second State Student Assembly in Jefferson City.
With a scholarship to Villa Madonna (now Thomas More) College in Covington, Kentucky, Helen earned a B.A. degree in 1943. She continued her studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia earning her M.Ed in 1952.
Helen began her teaching career in 1943 as a Math teacher in Sikeston, Missouri. In 1945, she came to the Jefferson City Public Schools where she taught Math and Science for one year and English for 36 years. In 1980 the JCHS Marcellus was dedicated to Helen Laux. She retired in 1982 but continued to serve on special committees.
Her leadership and professional service included president of the Community Teachers Association (1953-1954), president of Missouri Association of Teachers of English (1963-1965), editor of the MATE Bulletin and later of the Missouri Retired Teachers Newsletter, judge for the National English Writing Awards, president of Cole County Retired Teachers (1989-1990 and 1999-2000), teacher at ABLE Learning Center, and proofreader of court transcripts.
Her awards included the MATE Distinguished Service Award (1982), the Thomas More College Alumni Award (1985), the local AAUW Woman of Achievement in Education (1986), Cole County Retired Educator (2001), Zonta 2004 nominee, and JCPS Foundation Hall of Leaders in 2012.
Since 1950, Helen has been a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she was active in Bible study, choir, the first parish council, the Immaculata Club, Legion of Mary, and older adults. In addition to caring for her parents, she found joy in clubs and volunteering. She was a regent of the Daughters of Isabella and Circle honoree in 2011, and officer in Beta Sigma Phi, the Jefferson City Council of Clubs, St. Mary's Health Center Auxiliary (5000 hours), the Samaritan Center, and Oak Tree Villas.
Helen had a faith-filled life of learning, caring, and sharing.
Survivors include her cousins, extended family members, and friends.
Visitation will be 5-6 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2019, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Joshua Duncan officiating.
Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Samaritan Center, 1310 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
She was born October 29, 1921, near Irondale, Missouri, the daughter of the late Theodore and Rowena (Harris) Laux.
She was a 1939 graduate of Irondale High School where as a junior she wrote "Irondale, Yesterday and Today," and as a senior she represented Washington County at the Second State Student Assembly in Jefferson City.
With a scholarship to Villa Madonna (now Thomas More) College in Covington, Kentucky, Helen earned a B.A. degree in 1943. She continued her studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia earning her M.Ed in 1952.
Helen began her teaching career in 1943 as a Math teacher in Sikeston, Missouri. In 1945, she came to the Jefferson City Public Schools where she taught Math and Science for one year and English for 36 years. In 1980 the JCHS Marcellus was dedicated to Helen Laux. She retired in 1982 but continued to serve on special committees.
Her leadership and professional service included president of the Community Teachers Association (1953-1954), president of Missouri Association of Teachers of English (1963-1965), editor of the MATE Bulletin and later of the Missouri Retired Teachers Newsletter, judge for the National English Writing Awards, president of Cole County Retired Teachers (1989-1990 and 1999-2000), teacher at ABLE Learning Center, and proofreader of court transcripts.
Her awards included the MATE Distinguished Service Award (1982), the Thomas More College Alumni Award (1985), the local AAUW Woman of Achievement in Education (1986), Cole County Retired Educator (2001), Zonta 2004 nominee, and JCPS Foundation Hall of Leaders in 2012.
Since 1950, Helen has been a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she was active in Bible study, choir, the first parish council, the Immaculata Club, Legion of Mary, and older adults. In addition to caring for her parents, she found joy in clubs and volunteering. She was a regent of the Daughters of Isabella and Circle honoree in 2011, and officer in Beta Sigma Phi, the Jefferson City Council of Clubs, St. Mary's Health Center Auxiliary (5000 hours), the Samaritan Center, and Oak Tree Villas.
Helen had a faith-filled life of learning, caring, and sharing.
Survivors include her cousins, extended family members, and friends.
Visitation will be 5-6 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2019, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Joshua Duncan officiating.
Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Samaritan Center, 1310 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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She was a great English teacher. I learned a lot in her class. She always had a sweet smile as we entered her classroom. Judy Glover Whittle
I am sure so many of us have wonderful memories of this very special teacher . She definitely made a difference in many lives My sympathy and prayers for her family and friends
Lit a candle in memory of Helen Marie Laux
To give as you have given takes a love Hallowed by a special kind of grace. After all, the lives we will embrace, Now are shaped by those that our hearts move. Kids need the kind of leader you have been. Your efforts don’t come close to the real sum: On your life we build what we become, Undertaking only what we’ve seen. Copyright by Nicholas Gordon
My memories are from outside of class. I would often go in after school and talk to her as well as seek help outside of class. She was a lovely person.
Books & Literature in memory of Helen Marie Laux
We would like to express our deepest sympathy. May all your good memories out weigh your sadness during this difficult time. ( Isaiah 25:8 )
Ms. Laux was my English Lit teacher my senior year. She was a great teacher. Ms. Laux didn’t tolerate “slouching”; she did reward a job well done and creative thinking. I count myself lucky to have been among her students. I hope I made you proud.
I told my kids about Ms. Laux often. I hope she understood what an impact she made on so many. She taught and expected excellence. She was a truly great educator and person.
Helen Marie was my first cousin, the daughter of my father’s oldest brother, Theodore . She was an amazing woman. Talented in many areas, a superb teacher, unselfishly sacrificed her dreams to care for both of her parents, was a devout Christian, and a loving human being. It was my privilege to know her. Here’s to a life well lived. Rest In Peace, dear one. Joyce Parker
Class of 1966 wish to send their condolences about the English teacher they remember.She made such an impression on their lives.We will cherish all the memories from her class .Our 50 th Class Reunion was made even better as she was able to attend. She was blessed with a long life and. lived ever day to its fullest She will be missed.God Bless