Elizabeth A. Lerchen

Olean – Elizabeth A. "Liz" Lerchen     "Loving Mother"

            Elizabeth A. "Liz" Lerchen of 272 Hamilton Ave., Olean, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Olean General Hospital, following a lengthy illness.

            Liz was born on March 14, 1925 in Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and was a daughter of Paul and Helen Barczewski Preuss.  On September 6, 1947 at the Good Shepherd Church in Inwood, NY, she married her husband of 53 years, Frank G. Lerchen, who predeceased her on March 26, 2001.

            Liz graduated on May 29, 1943 from the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary.  She moved to Olean, right after her husband's passing in March of 2001.  Liz was an avid reader and enjoyed housekeeping, kibitzing, and crossword puzzles.  She loved her pets and in her earlier years was an avid bowler.

            Liz is survived by a son, Gary G. (Diana Klapakis) Lerchen of Olean.

            Along with her loving husband, Liz was predeceased by; a sister, Christel Dingwall; and a brother, Paul Preuss on April 17, 2018.

            Friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State Street, Olean on Friday May 11, 2018 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. and also on Saturday morning, May 12 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at which time a prayer service will be held followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am in St. John's Church. Rev. F. Patrick Melfi, Pastor, will celebrate.

             In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 931 North Union Street, Olean, New York 14760 or to the Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.  Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com