Obituary of Elsie Bell Lehr

Elsie Bell Lehr, age 96, of Camdenton, Missouri, departed this life on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Lake Regional Health System, Osage Beach, Missouri. Elsie was born February 17, 1915 in Swinton, Greater Manchester, England, the daughter of William and Mary Alice (Linney) Bell. Elsie was united in marriage on February 12, 1944 in London, England to Russell Lehr who preceded her in death. Elsie was born and grew up in England, where as a young lady she was a Corporal with the W.A.F.S. during WWII. After moving to the U.S., Elsie worked for over 66 years as a hairstylist, many of those years being the owner and operator of several hair salons. Elsie was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Camdenton where she enjoyed singing in the choir, and participating as a member of the St. Anthony�s Women�s Sodality. Having a true servant�s heart, Elsie volunteered her time in several worthy causes, including the Lamb House and Lake Regional Health System as a �Pink Lady�. Elsie was also a member of the Lake Area Performing Arts Guild. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and knitting. Elsie is survived by a son, Malcolm E. Lehr and wife, Karen, of Trussville, Alabama; two daughters, Margaret Vaccaro and husband, Tony, of St. Louis, Missouri and Mary Beth Callanan and husband, Bob, of Camdenton, Missouri; six grandchildren, Sherlyn Vaccaro, Carolyn Vaccaro Malz, Melanie Lehr Miller, Katie Lehr Kunkler, Matthew Callanan and Theresa Callanan; ten great-grandchildren as well as several other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one sister, Flori.