LAURENA M. SAYER
1945-2023
Laurena May (Fisher) Sayer was born July 12, 1945, near Woodsiding and Honey Creek southeast of Peru, Nebraska. She was the second of four children born to Lawrence and Vena (Good) Fisher. Her parents combined portions of their first names to form her first name, which was very unique.
She attended several elementary schools in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. She attended high school at Peru Prep in Peru. She was very popular in high school participating in chorus, FHA and volleyball. She was a cheerleader, Sweetheart attendant, and Homecoming Queen in 1964. She attended Peru State College for one year. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Jerry Sayer in 1966, at the Peru Christian Church. To this union two daughters were born Sherry Michele and Sandy Marie.
Laurena concentrated on providing a meaningful home life for her family. She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughters’ troop and participated in community and school activities in support of her daughters and family. She nurtured, guided, and supported her family throughout her life.
Her hobbies included sewing and especially quilting. She made beautiful quilts and wall hangings to decorate her home. She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her numerous colorful and beautiful flower gardens.
Laurena was a farm girl at heart. She was also an avid birder. She and Jerry traveled extensively. They combined their traveling adventures with birding locations, especially in the winter months along the southern coastal areas. She was unique in that she liked to fish, hike, and camp out. She and her family backpacked part of the continental divide, had numerous fishing expeditions, and frequently canoeing excursions. Her and Jerry also enjoyed RVing and would many times combine traveling RVing, fishing, camping, bird watching, and motorcycling.
Her greatest enjoyment was participating in activities with her family. She was a mean poker player and would not hesitate to pick up her shotgun to dispatch anything bothering her chickens or digging holes in her gardens. She always tried to enjoy her life to its fullest.
Laurena passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at home due to complications with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ron Fisher.
She is survived by her friend, companion, loving and devoted husband of 57 years Jerry Sayer of Auburn; her daughters Sherry Grable (Roger) of Johnson, Sandy Sayer (Shawn Gerdes) of Nevada, IA; two granddaughters Jessica (Grable) Hart (Kieth), Abigail (Bremer) Regenwether (Austin); six grandsons Nick Grable (McKenzie), Ben Grable (Roxanne), Carter Bremer, Riley Bremer, Dylan Bremer, Tyson Bremer; two great-grandsons Wesley and Calvin Hart; two sisters Carolyn Kay (Fisher) Allgood (Rich), Gwendolyn Fay (Fisher) Wredt (Charles); numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Laurena has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date with family in attendance. No funeral will be held. Laurena greatly enjoyed her caregivers (Marilyn and Pat), Hospice nurses and staff.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.