Lawrence Anton Wansing, 91, Meta, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at his home.
He was born June 6, 1934, to the late William and Rose (Twehaus) Wansing on the family farm in Meta.
He was united in marriage to JoAnn Pauline Wieberg June 3, 1961, in Argyle.
Lawrence served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 5, 1957, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 31, 1963. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., as a military policeman. During his training he received an Expert Rifleman’s badge, a Sharpshooters badge on the M1 Carbine and qualified to carry a 45 Cal. Sidearm for Military Police purposes. On the M1 he compiled 212 of a possible 220 points as an expert rifleman. Lawrence was a lifelong member of the Westphalia American Legion Post #544.
He served on the board of the St. Thomas Babbtown Mutual Insurance Company for 33 years, serving as president of the board for 17 of those years, before retiring in 2020. Lawrence served for 30 years for the Osage County (R3) Board of Education at Westphalia, serving five years as president, four years as vice president and two years as treasurer. While on the Fatima school board he had the privilege of presenting the high school diploma to each of his 12 children, which was a record in the State of Missouri.
Lawrence was an active member of the Meta community. He took on the challenging task of getting a Dollar General store in Meta, which through his persistence he successfully accomplished. He served on many local boards including the MFA, Osage County DHIA, and the COMM-Community Ambulance Board. Lawrence was a faithful member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
In addition to working in the insurance industry, he also operated Green Valley Dairy and Beef Farm, in which he took great pride. The farm has been in the Wansing family since 1850.
Lawrence was always willing to lend a helping hand and believed in giving his time and talent to the benefit of others.
He was preceded in death by parents, William and Rose; daughter, Cindy Carmack; and brothers, John, Herman, Clarence and Charles Wansing.
Lawrence is survived by loving wife, JoAnn; children, Arlene Holtmeyer and husband Patrick, Brenda Dallmeyer and husband Bill, Alan Wansing and wife Brenda, Michael Wansing and wife Patti, Janis Alley and husband Doug, Wanda Holtmeyer and husband Dean, Patti Otto and husband Kelly, Cathy Backes and husband Brian, Kim Wansing, Sharon Sprenger and husband Bruce and Daniel Wansing and wife Amy; 24 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; sister, Betty Voss; and a host of family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., (today)Wednesday, Jan. 28, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Meta with Fr. Porterfield officiating. Interment followed in St. Cecilia Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Westphalia American Legion or St. Cecilia Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Meta.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.
