Feb. 19, 1935 - July 30, 2013 GRANGER - Luaine Lois "Lu" Bender Quast, (78), formerly of Houston, TX, passed away peacefully in her daughter's home on July 30, 2013. Born February 19, 1935, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Martha (Ochs) Bender of Cleveland, Wisconsin. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Janice Homberger. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Cindy (Mark) Ormson of Granger, IN, and Ann Bie of North Palm Beach, FL; five grandchildren, Laura and Anne Ormson, and Kristian, Alexander and Casey Bie; three sisters, Dorothy Ulness, Ione Kueter and Arlene Johannes; and her former husband, Richard Quast. A wonderful mother and grandmother, Lu had a never-ending passion for learning, for encouraging others to do the same and strive for excellence. She was a member of MENSA, the Texas Bar Association, coordinator and supporter of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Survivors Teaching Students (STS) program, and a supporter of the Houston Art Car Ovarian Cancer Education initiative. She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and consequently spent the next 25 years raising a family in Guatemala City, Guatemala, while actively engaged in classical piano performance and choral direction. She was an integral member of the Círculo Musical chamber music group in Antigua, Guatemala, where she played the harpsichord and clavichord. Later in her life she studied and received a law degree from the University of Texas Law School at Austin. Most recently, she taught at Houston Community College. Lu's other interests were broad, and she was well-known for her gourmet cooking and her knowledge of the culinary world. She loved nature and sports, and competed in several Senior Olympics where she ran the 100-yard dash and threw the javelin. Lu was beautiful, unique and exceptional. Those who knew her would agree, Lu lived her life enthusiastically and with ageless grace and style. Services were held in Wisconsin. Memorial donations may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance STS program at 901 E Street NW, Suite 405, Washington, D.C. 20004; and to the Lu Quast Memorial Bench Fund, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, 1113 Vine Street, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002. To send condolences, please visit www.McGannHay.com. .
Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 25, 2013