Funeral Mass for Loretta Dora Lawrence, 78, Lawton, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Seaton, Pastor, officiating. From their home they shared for 37 years, Loretta left her struggle with cancer behind to join Herman in heaven on March 6. Burial will be in the Post Cemetery, Fort Sill, next to her husband, under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A rosary service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel. Born February 19, 1934, to Henry W. and Amanda Rae (Taylor) Emshousen. Loretta grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois, graduating from Edwardsville High School, where she met and married her high school sweetheart on February 4, 1953. When Herman decided to make a career of the military, Loretta took on the role of military wife in her own way with style, enthusiasm, and grace. She raised her 5 daughters and a son focusing on the importance of education, self-reliance, and helping others in need. As Herman approached his retirement from the military, the family made their home in Lawton and their spiritual home at Holy Family Catholic Church (formerly St. Barbara's Catholic Church). Loretta was an active member of the Ladies Guild and a charter member of the local chapter of Catholic Daughters, serving as their first regent. Linking her military connection with her faith, she was involved with the Military Council of Catholic Women and together with Herman they taught the "Love in Deed" classes for engaged couples. Her entrepreneurial spirit and faith lead her to her role as owner/operator of the only Catholic bookstore in Lawton, St. Michael's. When Herman chose his next vocation, resulting in ordination in the second class of deacons in the State of Oklahoma, Loretta took on her role as Deacon's wife with pride and a devotion to task. Her loving nature and devotion to church and family made her a natural for this new journey. She is survived by six children and their spouses, Cynthia A. and Col (R) Michael Riley, Dr's Bonita A. Lawrence and Clayton T. Brooks, Mary E. and David Henderson, Laura L. and Scott W. Grant, Sheri L. and Larry A. Briggs and GySgt Michael J. and Kimberly Lawrence; ten grandchildren, Neal A. Riley, Amanda L. Riley, Sean K. Fisher, Scott C. Grant, Andrew N. Grant, Katherine L. Briggs, R.L. Briggs, Ashley L. Lawrence, Kylie N. Lawrence and London J. Lawrence; two sisters and a brother in law, Betty and Stuart Venable and Delores Bustemente; a brother, Alfred Emshousen. Her parents and three of her brothers preceded her in death. Memorial contributions may be made to either the National Arthritis Foundation or to American Diabetes Association.