Laurene L. Riggs

November 22, 1927 - August 4, 2020

Laurene L. Riggs, age 92, formerly of Highland, IL died Tuesday, August 04, 2020, at Westminster Assisted Living in Clarksville, IN. She was born on November 22, 1927, in Grantfork, IL, the daughter of Charles and Milda (nee Steiner) Casper. On August 19, 1948, she married Rev. John C. Riggs at Highland, IL. He passed away on February 05, 2011. She was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ. Laurene was born at home in Grantfork, IL. She graduated Highland High School in 1945. She worked as a secretary at CJ Hug Company. After her marriage, she and her husband, John, moved to Elmhurst, IL while John attended Elmhurst College. After his graduation they moved to Webster Grove, MO while John attended Eden Seminary. While there she worked as a secretary at Webster Grove Schools and as a Teachers Aid. After her husband graduated, they served many churches in Iowa, Chicago, Mascoutah, and North Aurora. Laurene kept busy raising their 5 children. She was active in the churches they served, being part of the Women's Guild at those churches. In 1970 she earned a Teaching Certificate from Belleville Junior College and she worked as a Substitute Teacher. She and her husband were involved with United Marriage Encounter and traveled extensively attending meetings and interacting with couples for marriage counseling. After retirement from ministry, they moved to rural Carlyle, IL and entertained their children and families for 13 years. Then they moved to Highland and enjoyed being with their ancestral families and friends. One of Laurene's past times was quilting and knitting. Survivors include : Son - John C. (Lori) Riggs, Jeffersonville, IN Son - Dr. Paul A. (Mary) Riggs, Oskaloosa, IA Daughter - Diann L. (Rev. Dan) Gute, Calumet City, IL Son - David L. (April) Riggs, Amarillo, TX Son - Daniel C. Riggs, North Aurora, IL Grandchild - Ben (Carly) Riggs Grandchild - Amanda Carlisle Grandchild - Wesley (Romina) Riggs Grandchild - Luther (Ashley) Riggs Grandchild - Zachary (Bryn) Riggs Grandchild - Aaron (Maggie) Riggs Grandchild - Sarah (Tim) Taylor Grandchild - Derek (Erin) Gute Grandchild - Melinda (Arden) DeCuir Grandchild - Jessica (John) McMeans Grandchild - Nick (Taylor) Riggs Grandchild - Jacob Riggs Grandchild - Allison Riggs Grandchild - Ava Riggs Great Grandchild - Tate Riggs Great Grandchild - Finn Riggs Great Grandchild - Sutter Riggs Great Grandchild - Piper Gute Great Grandchild - Vera Gute Great Grandchild - Reuben Gute Great Grandchild - Levi Carlisle Great Grandchild - Logan Carlisle Great Grandchild - Myles Gute Great Grandchild - Cassidy McMeans Great Grandchild - Avery Riggs Great Grandchild - Titus Taylor Great Grandchild - Grant Riggs Sister - Betty M. Tschannen, Highland, IL Sister - Eunice (Dr. Arlo) Landolt, Baton Rouge, LA She was preceded in death by : Father - Charles C. Casper Mother - Milda A. Casper, nee Steiner Husband - Rev. John C. Riggs - Died 2/05/2011 Sister - Esther H. Baumann - Died 8/31/2011 Sister - Ruth M. Steiner - Died 1/25/2016 Sister - Leona M. Iberg - Died 12/30/1979 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Saturday, August 08, 2020, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Private funeral service will be at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, IL, with Rev. Eric Quinney-Burnard officiating. Interment will be at Highland City Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland or Union Congregational Church in North Aurora, IL.