Fortis Maurice “Mike” Lawder, a father, mentor, Boy Scout leader, seven-decade lawyer and devout Catholic who influenced countless lives in St. Louis, passed away peacefully on Sept 6 at age 99.
Mike rejoins his beloved wife Joan Lawder (nee Federer) who exited this life into the arms of the Holy Father on June 20, 2023. Their 70-year marriage produced eight children, 31 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren – so far.
Mike was born on June 30, 1927, in Murphysboro, Ill., to Fortis and Emma Celeste Lawder (nee G’Sell). He often spoke of picking asparagus on a relative’s farm in his youth, calling himself “just a country boy” after moving to the big city.
That transition started in 1945 when he graduated high school and followed his father’s path into the Navy. But the war ended before he completed officer candidate training, giving him the opportunity to attend St. Louis University in 1946 on an acclerated economics/law program. A party at the family home of law school pal Dick Federer introduced Mike to the love of his life, Dick’s little sister Joan, as she cleaned out a goldfish pond. They later lived in that house for 35 years.
Earning his JD in 1951 at the top of his class, Mike’s passion for the law lasted his whole life. Much of it focused on banking law, serving several St. Louis-area community banks. In later years, he shifted to estate law, practicing with Anderson & Gilbert until age 91.
Mike was devoted to his family, to the meticulous maintenance of their homes in St. Louis’ Holly Hills neighborhood and to St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church. Catholic education was paramount in Mike’s life, and he and Joan sent all their children to Jesuit universities.
Scouting was another passion for Mike, who served as Troop 104 Scoutmaster at St. Stephen’s from 1967 to 1982. Known for his spellbinding campfire stories based on old movies like “The Most Dangerous Game” — with himself in the starring role — Mike instilled leadership skills into boys that turned them into successful young men. His Troop 104 was adventurous, with canoe trips to northern Wisconsin, cave exploration in east Tennessee and travels to the Pacific Northwest.
Mike is preceded in the afterlife by Joan, his brother Jack Lawder (Peggy) of Audubon, Pa., son-in-law Kevin Bittner and grandson Joey Lawder.
He is survived by children Michael Lawder, Margie Bittner, Mark (Janet) Lawder, Thomas Lawder (Meg Gardinier), Celeste (Rick) Furtner, David Lawder (Claudia McNamara), Joseph (Teresa) Lawder and Julie (John) O’Brien, his many grandchildren and great grandchildren and dozens more nieces and nephews.
Visitation 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 25 at Kutis Funeral Home Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, 63123. Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday, September 26 at St. Stephen’s, 3949 Wilmington Avenue, 63116, interment at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fortis Lawder’s memory to St Stephen’s or to St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood, Mo.