LaRue Helen Lautsch, 101, of State College, died Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Embassy of Hearthside.

She was born October 14, 1924, on the family farm in Mabel, Schuylkill County, the third of seven children of William and Eva Gahres. She had an older brother and sister, and four younger sisters.

She attended public school in Hegins, graduating in Hegins High School's class of 1942. Afterward she attended cosmetology school, becoming a licensed beautician, and later worked at RCA Corporation in Lancaster. She was with RCA for twenty-two years.

She operated her own beauty shop in her home on Ann Street in Lancaster, where a black and white television was always tuned to the afternoon soap operas, which she followed avidly while washing, setting, and perming hair. Though a meticulous housekeeper, the house always had faint smell of perm solution.

On April 16, 1955 she married Joseph Lautsch in St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church. They reared two daughters in the parish, Pamela and Tamara.

She was an active member of the parish and a member of Catholic Daughters of America. It was important to her that her daughters have a Roman Catholic education and so she used the earnings at her shop to send her daughters to grade school at St. Anthony and to Lancaster Catholic High School.

She led by example with her work ethic. As a child she worked alongside her father on the family farm. As an adult, she always had a job in addition to motherhood. Even in retirement, she never sat still; her hands were always busy. While watching TV in the evening she would make craft items for church fundraisers.

She was predeceased by her parents, siblings, husband, and her daughter Tamara. She is survived by her elder daughter Pamela Lautsch-Bowman of State College; grandson, Joseph James Bowman (Holly); and great-grandsons Maxwell Joseph Bowman and Leo James Bowman.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Matthew Morelli, at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 East Orange St., Lancaster on January 15. Visitation will start at 10:00 with Mass to follow at 11:00. Interment at St. Anthony Cemetery will follow the service.