Laura June Pekar

Laura June Rusch Pekar, 66, of Lees Summit, Missouri, but a long time resident of Columbus, died at 3:58 pm, on September 28, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Laura graduated in 1968 from Granada Hills High School in Granada Hills, California.  She received an Associates of Science degree from Pierce Community College in The San Fernando Valley region of California and later received an ASN from IU school of Nursing in Indianapolis.   Laura was a Registered Nurse and retired from Columbus Regional Hospital in 2012. Laura enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, travel, gardening and all of her animals.  She was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waymansville where she belonged to the Adult Fellowship and played in the hand bell choir. Born October 12, 1950, in Hammond, Indiana, Mrs. Pekar was the daughter of Lawrence Rusch and June Klitzke Rusch.  She married Robert Leonard Pekar on February 12, 1972. Memorial donations can be made to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waymansville. Survivors include a son, Craig Stephen Pekar of Columbus; a daughter, Raylene Denise (John) Herkamp of Lees Summit, Missouri;  grandchildren, Isaac, Eli and Violet Herkamp; a sister, Virginia (Douglas) Mitchell of Goleta, California; and nieces, Heidi Despain of San Diego, California, and Kristi (David) Weymouth of Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years; her father and mother; sister, Barbara Vensko; and nephew, Robert Mitchell.