Life History of Marcel F. Lauper
Some of the heartbreakers along the route toward overcoming include the following, I shall mention just a few:
About thirty years ago, I received a phone call from brother, Dennis, who said, "Yes, our baby is born, but she is not well born". Then I learned things I had never known before concerning many children and birth defects; however, this couple have exercised much faith with our prayers combined, have been great parents over the years, showing much sacrifice and abundant love. Then in March 1958, when my store had been opened only a very short time, the word came that our Mother had fallen, breaking her hip. She underwent surgery and lay in great shock and pain for eight days. Ralph and I were with her the last night, when Ralph asked the attending nurses to cease their injections. She was failing and the injections only added to her extreme discomfort. We knelt and, in turn, prayed for some hours, and I repeat, hours, asking for her release. When we felt the grim reaper’s spirit had left the area and that peace had now entered that hospital room, we walked away with an absolute assurance that God had heard our prayers, just as He heard the prayers of Enos in Book of Mormon times. Within a few short minutes we were met by our friend and nurse, Marguerite Roehl, who said that Mother's heart was failing. We entered the room to see her pull her last breath, but peacefully.
Another notice of death was when another brother-in-law, William M. Brown passed on. This, I remember of Bill, from his hospital bed, he said to his wife, my sister Alice,·”Dear, you've been here a long time (during the night's vigil), you re tired and worn out, you should go home and get some rest". Within ten minutes, brother Bill passed on.
And now, I want to insert some tender thoughts regarding my wife's parents, known to our children as Grandpa and Grandma Barney. Following Frances' and my initial move to this area, we made annual trips either to Salt Lake or Hammond, Indiana. On several trips to Utah, we were met there by Grandpa and Grandma Barney at State Street Motel, Salt Lake City. Either Grandpa or I, or both, would be attending General Conference as Bishop or Branch President, and we always managed a nice get-together and visit, and often including several or all the children. Then there were trips to Hammond by Frances and our first daughters for just pure pleasure and visit with the folks. Once, we all went, and on that visit, we managed to purchase a new Chevrolet back there from Smith Motors. The last two trips to Hammond were to bury, first, Grandma Barney during the summer of 1964; and then, Grandpa passed on January 2, 1966. Our last trip to Hammond was for his funeral.
I want to here express my feelings for this fine set of parents. Grandpa and Grandma Barney were not considered glamorous as the world defines glamour, but they were genuinely fine people. The average people, living around Dad and Mom Barney, soon learned that they had friends, true friends, for they knew how to care and befriend. Grandpa and Grandma B. were clean living, clean thinking people. Their spoken words were measured by temperance, truth and sincerity. They were not wont to neither show off nor put on airs. They were concerned about their fellow men, and especially their brothers and sisters in the Gospel. In showing their concern for others they were kind and considerate of the feelings of others. They practiced the 'true religion' bit--I saw them do this on several occasions, just as we're told in the Bible--to visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions. Dad Barney was a good Branch President and later a good Bishop. Mom Barney was a good Relief Society president. They loved each other and their children. I never heard them argue. I saw Dad weep unashamedly as Mom lay in her casket. He was to follow a short one and one-half years later. Now to my children. I said your Grandfather Barney loved his wife and children, but he loved your dad too. Best of all, he told me so! I love to remember and comment that right out in front of 948 Evergreen home, during one of his visits, Dad placed his hands firmly on my shoulders, looked me squarely in the eyes, and said "I love you, Marc; I love you Marc". There is a lesson in that... If you do care about someone, tell it to him or her. They will remember it forever. I've heard this expression too few times in my lifetime, and I recall with fondness, each time I have. Remember 'a bell's not a bell, until you ring it, etc.'
Now, one short study in Mother Love. Not long before Grandma Barney passed away, I spoke with her via long distance telephone. She told me in her low voice how her health was deteriorating. She said her face as well as her legs was terribly swollen. She said her tongue and lips were enlarged. She gave me quite a vivid picture of how she must have looked--and felt. Then she concluded our conversation with these stunning and meaningful words, "Marc, be good to Frances". Those words sear my conscience whenever I recall a moment when I have not measured up. Frances, my cute little dark-eyed wife was her first-born child. "Marc, be good to Frances", were the words of a dying mother.
When Dad Barney passed away he left forty thousand dollars, and four children. The estate was divided four ways. My wife gave one thousand of her share to one of the others whom she felt deserved it and much more. She hesitated not one instant in so doing and never regretted it to this day. Next, she paid a full tithing on her share, and then invested $3500 in LAUPER'S FURNITURE, where those funds rest to this day. So Grandfather's and Grandmother's frugality, thrift, resourcefulness, and hard toil live on at this time in our business. They were true stalwarts. I was asked to participate at both funeral services, and I recall following Mom's services, we held a family testimony meeting, with the only outside family members in attendance being their Bishopric. It was a tender, spiritual experience, and I learned a great deal from that family tradition.