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SIMON, Lauren Elizabeth (Liebscher) 1982-2009

SIMON, LIEBSCHER, MILLER, LOCKARD

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/1/2013 at 22:12:01

[Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, Friday, August 14, 2009

Lauren Elizabeth Liebscher Simon, 27, died on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at her childhood home in Waterloo.

Lauren was born on May 15, 1982, in Charleston, S.C., to Lawrence Arthur and Mary Sarah Miller Liebscher.

Lauren was diagnosed at two months of age with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. Though the doctors said she probably would not live past age two, she underwent surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. That surgery was a success and allowed her to live until age eight, when she received a liver transplant at Wyler Children's Hospital in Chicago. There were a number of health crises over the years, but Lauren's health was mostly good as she went through her childhood and teenage years. Throughout her life she met her many health struggles with exceptional strength, courage, grace and humor.

Lauren attended Waterloo West High School, where she was a proud member of the swim team. After high school graduation in 2001, Lauren went on to attend the University of Iowa, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2006.

Lauren met her future husband, Joshua Jacob Simon, during their high school years while working at Food Pride on Ansborough Avenue. A friendship formed through their mutual love of movies and television shows. Lauren and Josh maintained their friendship while Lauren was in Iowa City and Josh remained in Waterloo. Their relationship blossomed into an engagement following her graduation in 2006.

An extraordinary caretaker of children, Lauren filled her free time in high school and college babysitting her little sister and brother, her cousins, and many family friends.

Lauren married Josh, her best friend and the love of her life, on July 7, 2007. After her wedding, Lauren and Josh bought their first house and she worked at making it their home. They lived just a short walk from her parents and grandparents.

Lauren worked for the state of Iowa in child support recovery services and loved the daily challenges.

One of Lauren's strongest desires in life was to become a mother. On Feb. 15, 2008, they welcomed their son, Jacob Christopher, to this world. Lauren loved and cherished every moment with Jacob.

Lauren was diagnosed with lymphoma in January. She underwent months of chemotherapy and in May was in remission. In late July, it was discovered that the lymphoma had returned. Treatment began immediately and Lauren began yet another fight for her life. Unfortunately the cancer was too advanced.

Lauren was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, James Northey Miller; her uncle, Robert Liebscher, and her cousin, Zachary Lockard.

She is survived by her husband, Joshua; son, Jacob; her parents, Lawrence and Mary Liebscher of Waterloo; her brothers, James of South Bend, Ind., and Stephen of Iowa City; sister, Caroline of Waterloo; brother, Christopher of Waterloo; her paternal grandparents, Carl and Mary Agnes Liebscher of Davenport; her maternal grandmother, Doris Miller of Waterloo; and her Godparents, Amy Lockard of Cedar Falls and Gregory Liebscher of Colorado Springs, Colo. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in the chapel at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery, 3430 W. Fourth St., Waterloo. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Locke Funeral Home, 1519 W. Fourth St., Waterloo.

A memorial fund will be established in Lauren's name through the University of Iowa Foundation to benefit pediatric liver transplant care. Memorials also may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.


 

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