Lena Elizabeth “Liz” Buchanan Hauer, 86, of Huntsville, died June 7, 2019, surrounded by family. She was born on January 6, 1933, in Riverton, Colbert County, Alabama to Claude and Minnie McCarley Buchanan. She moved from Riverton to the Farley community, Madison County, Alabama in 1938 and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1950. On June 15, 1955, she was united in marriage to Christian Ewing Hauer, Jr.
Liz attended Auburn University and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1955. She also earned a Master of Science in Library Science from Peabody College (since merged into Vanderbilt University) in 1966 and was employed as a librarian at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri for 23 years. Liz was passionate about her work at Westminster, led fund-raising campaigns for the local public library, and was active in the League of Women Voters.
Liz and her husband, Chris, returned to Huntsville upon their retirement from Westminster in 1996. Liz loved spending time with her family, was an avid gardener and skilled genealogist, enjoyed travel, and was an active member of Hope Presbyterian Church. A lifelong learner and inquisitive reader with broad interests, Liz enjoyed sharing her knowledge with others.
Liz will be sadly missed by her husband of 64 years; daughter, Anna Hauer Zelinsky, and son-in-law, Yuri Zelinsky, of Takoma Park, Maryland; granddaughter, Olena; grandson, Peter; sister, Mary Virginia “Ginny” Green, and brother-in-law, Ralph Green; sister-in-law, Richlyn Vandiver Buchanan, seven nieces and nephews and six grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, John Christian Hauer and her brother, Claude Nave Buchanan, Jr.
A memorial service celebrating Liz’s life will be held at a later date. (www.laughlinservice.com)
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Buchanan Scholarship Fund (Buchanan Scholarship Fund, c/o Jan Sturbois, 7714 Charlotte Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802);
The Chris and Liz Hauer Mander Organ Fund. (https://endowments.presbyterianfoundation.org/fund/103120059275/ Note: The Mander organ was custom crafted by the great English organ builder Noel Mander for the Christopher Wren church at Westminster College.);
or the Huntsville Friends of the Library (https://huntsvillelibraryfoundation.org/donate) or checks to HSV Library Foundation, P.O. Box 443, Huntsville, AL 35804.
