Louise Maria (Schiwart) Laurents went to be with her Lord on December 1, 2009. She was born October 24, 1912 in Thorndale, Texas to John and Helena (Zoch) Schiwart. She was baptized by Rev. Kramer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorndale. At age of 11, Louise and her family moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where she spent most of her life. She was confirmed by Rev. Siebelitz in 1927 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. Her confirmation bible verse was Luke 10:42 and her confirmation hymn was “Thine Forever”. She was a lifelong faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she in her younger years attended Trinity Lutheran School and later served as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the church choir.
In 1938, Louise married William F. (Bill) Laurents and they were blessed with two sons. She was a homemaker and had a passion for flowers, beautiful music, and spiritual hymns. The love of God and family was central to her life.
Louise is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters Gertrude Schiwart and Helen Henderson; her devoted husband of 54 years, Bill Laurents; and her niece and God child Karen Henderson. Survivors include her two sons, William J. Laurents and his wife Linda of Huffman, Texas; David R. Laurents and his wife Jan of Port Neches, Texas; four grandchildren, Dr. Mark Laurents and wife Gretchen of Port Neches, Chris Laurents of Jersey Village, David Laurents Jr. of Houston, and Stacy Laurents of Tyler, five great grandchildren: Jennifer Laurents, Andrew Laurents, Jamie Laurents, Jonathan Laurents, and Aaron Laurents; her brother, John Schiwart and wife Pat of Port Arthur; her brother-in-law, Louis Henderson of Port Arthur; and many beautiful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, December 4, 2009 at Broussard’s in Nederland with Rev. Timothy Dinger, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur officiating, with entombment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday at the mortuary.
Pallbearers honoring Louise will be her three grandson David Laurents, Jr., Dr. Mark Laurents, and Chris Laurents; her nephew Michael Schiwart, and friends Bobby Wilson, and Darrell Gaspard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her honor to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2400 5th Street, Port Arthur, Texas 77640.
