Emily’s Parents- Dick
and Mary Ann Lanoue
A
trombone, a mellophone, a marching band, and a box of rubber bands… Those were the key elements of the
introduction of Emily’s parents. They
met in the marching band at Central Missouri State University. Dad actually auditioned Mom for a spot in the
band. They dated all through college and
were married after graduation.
Thirty-two years and three kids later, they are still the cutest couple
in the world.
Mom grew up on a farm about ninety miles northeast
of Kansas City. She didn’t have to walk
10 miles in the snow both ways to get to school every morning, but she did have
a 45 minute bus ride over some pretty questionable gravel roads. As a
4-H member and daughter of a pretty awesome homemaker she developed her
skills in sewing, cooking, wallpapering, gardening, and more. She currently teaches in the Family and
Consumer Sciences department at Lee’s Summit High School (that’s Home Economics
for those who aren’t aware of the name change).
She is the chair of her department and also directs the high school’s
color guard.
In addition to being a great teacher, she is a
terrific mom. She taught both Emily and
Heather how to sew, cook, and the art of planting a garden. Mom never missed a softball game, dance
recital, or band concert. She baked too
many birthday cakes to count, and has made a collection of Halloween costumes
unlike any other. In addition to all
that, she is making all of the
dresses for the wedding!
Dad was born and raised in Kansas City. Though he is a teacher by profession, he’s a
musician at heart. He’s played the
French horn since the 5th grade and for a time even played
professionally (ask him about his appearance with the Cincinnati
Symphony). Music has always been Dad’s
passion, but in college he decided to change direction and earned a degree in
education. For thirty years he taught
elementary education, and because he is the most calm, patient, and friendly
person in the world, he was often referred to by his students and their parents
as Mr. Rogers. Emily couldn’t ask for a
better dad. He is the one who spent
hours outside throwing the softball making sure she was warmed up for the
evening game and throwing nothing but strikes.
He proofread every paper she wrote, and made sure she had the perfect
French horn solo picked out for a contest.
Emily will always cherish those yearly trips to Wingert-Jones to select
music, Classical Westport to find a recording of the solo, then to Winsted’s
for lunch and a special chocolate malt.
Dad retired from teaching two years ago but still
substitute teaches. In addition to music
and education, Dad is still active in Boy Scouts and shares his love for
collecting and restoring Native American artifacts and researching our own
Native American heritage.
Emily’s
Grandma- Louise Rose
Oh
the stories Emily could tell of adventures on the farm with Grandma. There’s the wheel barrow rides to and from
the enormous fruit and vegetable garden where we picked (ok… ate) strawberries
for hours on end. We climbed down into
the creek to pan for minnows and dig for worms so we could go fishing. And then there’s Grandma’s cooking…
Absolutely NOTHING can rival her homemade chocolate pie or her caramel
icing. With 5 children, 13
grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren the holidays are always a lot of fun…
sometimes a little crazy, but always a good time.
Grandma lived alone on her farm until 3 months
before she passed away. She was 91 years
old! She loved taking care of her many
BEAUTIFUL flower beds and hand sewing the warmest, most wonderful quilts Emily
has ever seen. We thank God that we took
every chance we had to visit her. Emily
is so happy that Eyad got a chance to know and Love her.
Emily’s
Sister- (click
here for link to her page)
Emily’s
Brother- (click
here for link to his page)
Everybody met Eyad on Grandma’s 90th
birthday weekend in August, 2003.
Everybody means just about everybody
on Mom’s side of the family!
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