Emma Lou Lais, 88, passed away Oct. 18, 2012. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22 at Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to The Disabled American Veterans. Emma Lou was born Oct. 4, 1924 in Kansas City, MO, to John and Jessie Madeline Welch. She was raised on a 160-acre farm in Overland Park, KS. At an early age she had a great singing voice and was becoming a very good guitar player. She continued to take guitar lessons and at the age of 11, she started singing and playing on WHB Radio in Kansas City. She began singing professionally in her late teens and was asked to travel abroad with the USO in order to entertain the troops. She traveled with Bob Hope, Doris Day and others. Emma Lou also sang with many big band legends such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Johnny Richards, Benny Carter and the Ike Carpenter Band where she met her husband, John Lais, Jr., a great drummer in his own right. She started the Jesma record label named after her mother. She also recorded for Capital, MGM, National, Victor, Decca, Columbia Records and others. After her husband passed away in 1981, Emma Lou started a new profession of hooking primitive hooked rugs, a talent she learned while sitting on her mother's lap in Piper, KS. She then began teaching the art and co-authored two books and has been featured in many of the Hooking magazines. Emma Lou has always lived her life to the fullest, always smiling and cheerful, even in the toughest of times. Her charm, sweet personality and genuineness has touched and affected many people through her life. Emma Lou is survived by her sons, John J. Lais III, Patrick J. Lais and wife Renee; grandchildren, Allie Lais, John J. Lais IV, Jessica Bobal and husband Christopher, Michael Lais and Kelly Lais; great grandchildren, Kaelyn and Anderson Bobal; several St. Louis relatives. Memorial contributions and condolences may be left at www.muehlebachchapel.com Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64131, (816)444-2060

Published in Kansas City Star on October 20, 2012.