The Lauper Family

Life History of Marcel F. Lauper

Marriage and Family, 1945

There was a man, Max White Simpkins, who had met a pretty little girl in Hammond, Indiana, when he had been stationed in that area. Max wanted me to meet her, but I reasoned that I was too old for this 21-year-old girl, I now being 33 years. Max said I didn't seem too old as he further described her, contradicting my apprehensions, assuring me she was neither a mud fence, or a wall flower; arid he told me he was really fond of her but, before meeting this girl, he had engaged himself to another girl back in Utah. Max kept urging me, telling how pretty she was, had been Queen of the Stake Ball, came from a very active family, her father being the Branch President, etc. Well, finally, I took a flight over to Chicago, having an appointment to meet this young lady. There in the Calumet building--the appointed place, I stood in the lobby. The elevator opened and to this day the picture remains vividly. There was that lovely, charming, cute --answer to my prayers--little woman who stepped out with a smile. Well I knew that was IT; and from that beginning we went on through to matrimony without a hitch. That was Frances Ellen Barney, who took me to her home, where the meeting with her family was mutually pleasant. The age difference appeared to have no bearing. I was treated with abundant hospitality and friendship, and my religious or spiritual attributes were greatly appreciated. I recalled then what my Oakland Stake President, Eugene H. Hilton, had said at my army induction. He commented upon my dejection with "Well, Marc, it won't be all bad, not all of it". The service experiences had brought the biggest singular benefit to my life.

Joe and Viola, with little daughter, Linda, were then residing in Chicago, so I would arrange a flight there as often as possible and would date Frances. The first occasion on what was to have been an overnight trip, a heavy snowstorm prevented air departures, and so we were kept there for five days. Frances and I became practically engaged during that very first stay over, and during May, 1945, Frances departed her home and family to meet Sergeant MFL at Tucumcari, New Mexico; and we traveled on to Mesa, Arizona Temple, where on May 19th, we became Mr. and Mrs. MFL.

Marcel & Frances, 1945

Those were beautiful bright sunny days, and I had never heard the songs of Zion sound more sweet than when I attended one of the Wards there in Mesa with my new bride! It was a glorious feeling. From there we proceeded into Southern California to be met by Ivan and Helen, where­upon Ivan took me into a jeweler's store to purchase a ring for me which is on my finger to this day. We departed Compton, California and went North to the Bay Area where we were warmly received by my family. Viola, with others, hustled up some kind of reception there at the Dimond Ward. Even though halfway in a daze, it was wonderful and we were happy. Following this fast-moving trip, we returned to Army life at Pampa, Texas, and there we made our first home. I want to reinforce here to our children, Susan, Margaret, Diane, John, and Janelle, that your mother who was a beautiful little dark-eyed secretary for Lake County Insurance Company of Hammond, had now turned domestic to make me the happiest soldier in the Army. That was not all, after a short time, your Mother informed me that we were expectant parents. I can of this, still remember the spot on the steps of the post office as she told me of this with just a turn-around glance. Mr. Myan, Frances' former employer, was making repeated pleas for her to return to help him, there being a great man and woman power shortage in all business. I remember telling her to send a telegram stating, "$400. per month and airplane fare to return". This man wired back, "Your offer accepted, come at once". So, Frances went back to continue her work there for a short time. The VE, victory in Europe, had come, achieving its purpose; and then later in the year, a couple of heavy atomic bombs had been dropped on Japan, bringing surrender by Japan. I can emphatically here state that on any day of the forty-four months that I was in the service, I never knew what would happen the next day, or what would be my lot, until January 22, 1946, I received my honorable discharge at Sacramento, California. I had arranged for a job with Marshall Fields, in Chicago; so I hurried back; and while working and living there, it was very early one March morning at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois, Dr. Vance gave me the words, "Marcel, you have a beautiful baby girl! That was March 13, 1945, Susan Ellen Lauper was born.

I left Marshall Fields to work a few months with H. C. Minus Company in Hammond, Indiana, leaving them to return to the West and my old job with John Bruener Company in Oakland; California. Within a couple of months thereafter I went to San Francisco airport to pick up my Frances and our little Susie. That is an unforgettable moment as I picture them coming down that ramp, that day. I took them out to our little home in Richmond, California, a rental in a housing project at $35.00 per month, including all utilities. It wasn't too long, what with Frances' nudging and urgings, we bought a home out in San Leandro, at 1991 Whelan Avenue. During that transition between Richmond and San Leandro, we rushed another early morning from Richmond to Merritt Hospital in Oakland; and there arrived that pretty little dark-eyed daughter, Margaret Frances Lauper. That was August 19, 1947. On March 12, 1950, along came our little 'Charly' (my pet name for Diane Joy Lauper). This was on a Sabbath morning at East Oakland Hospital--and she was and is a JOY to our life.

Later, on October 3, 1956, I was out at Eden Hospital, Castro Valley, where little mother had just delivered again. A little nurse approached me with a mumble, "it's a boy". I said, unbelievably, "What, what did you say?" When this was confirmed I shouted over and over "It's a boy", causing many of the hospital personnel to gather with the question, "Mr. Lauper, is this your first child"? Would you believe that eight years later, on August 12, 1964, at San Leandro Memorial Hospital, along comes the frosting on the cake, our little Janelle Kim Lauper.

In San Leandro Ward I was teaching Sunday School when called into the Ward Bishopric; then as the Bishop was transferred out of State, I did have some thought that I might be considered to replace him. However, at this time, I was having major difficulties with my work and I even thought my job might be in jeopardy, and despite my earnest desire to serve in the Church into whatever capacity called, I felt that under the circumstances concerning my employment, I just could not take on anything of such magnitude Following is exactly how the chron­ological events took place: I was in the Bruener store when I heard my name over the page system. I answered the phone to be told that Mr. Nelson, Store Manager, wanted to talk with me. I entered his office to receive the words; "Marc, we have watched your good work and we want to make you Basement Manager at an increase in salary". I left his office, rather floating on Cloud 9 and with much relief, when I heard my name again over the loud speaker. I again picked up the phone and the voice said "This is Elmo Smith, member of the Oakland State presidency, and we would like to talk with you tonight". And that's the way it happened. I was now in a position to talk with him concerning my being Bishop of the Ward. I have never felt I did extremely well in that long tenure as Bishop, but I worked hard. Even so I feel I was not any­where near as successful as is brother Ralph, presently serving as Bishop of San Ramon Ward. After nearly ten years I was released and called to the High Council; and I have no lofty expressions about that either, but finally after asking to be a teacher, I was given the job of Seminary teacher, then coordinator, as well as Stake Advisor, as part of my Council assignment, for the next twelve years. I consider that a real spark in my life and was truly enjoyed. Later, as I was released from the High Council, I was called to be a Stake Missionary in the San Leandro Stake. So to recount my services: I have been president of Deacons, Teachers, and Priests Quorums, Member of the Seventies Quorum Presidents, High Priest Presidency (before this went into the hands of the Stake Presidency), Stake Sunday School Superintendence/Presidency, likewise of the M. I. A. as District Supervisor and Secretary, Sunday School teacher, served on two separate assignments as High Councilman, Bishop, Full time missionary, serving as District President of two separate districts, Branch President, Seminary Teacher, and seminary Supervisor. In summing it all up, I would have to state that the pinnacles of my most useful service appear to be my missionary efforts in Denmark, my Seminary experiences, and now, my enjoyable association with the young Elders here as I serve a Stake mission.