Elizabeth Wendler, Libby, as most called her, was born on April 17, 1926, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Jesse and Maude Wendler. She was a long-time resident of San Lorenzo, California. She passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024, in Union City, California. She was 6-days shy of her 98th birthday.

She graduated in 1944 from Mount St. Mary Academy high school, a private, Roman Catholic, all-girls school. Shortly after, she worked as a File Clerk with the US Department of Agriculture, until her assignment ended. In June 1945, she took a job at Camp Robinson Army Camp in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She worked as a Stenographer on the Septic Surgical where she’d take the patients information and then in the afternoon she'd help the doctors on duty in the clinic. Shortly after WWII, the camp closed, and she headed to California by train along with her three girlfriends. In July 1946, she worked as a Clerk-Typist under the Navy as a civilian at the Oakland Naval Supply Depot in the Correspondence Unit. She later transferred and became a researcher where she’d answer letters in Navy Terminology.

In November of 1947 she transferred to the Application Unit where she typed applications for Naval shipments. There she met her late husband, Mario Gonzalez Laris, as he was visiting her coworker and friend, Elsie Laris, his sister. They eventually began dating and were married on June 19, 1949, at Saint Mary's Church in Oakland. They lived in an apartment on California Street in Berkeley for two years. In June 1950 she transferred to the Document Assembly Unit where she processed papers in connection with Van shipments. She worked there until her maternity leave in June 1951 which was her last paid job outside the home. The next month Libby gave birth to her first child. About three months later the family moved into their newly built home in San Lorenzo where she would reside for 71-years. The couple had 3 more children over the next 5-years. Sadly, on December 9, 1956, Libby was driving her youngest child to the hospital while held in the arms of her eldest daughter. He died in route at only eight-months-old from pneumonia. During these years Libby was a stay-at-home mom while her husband Mario financially supported the family. They often only had one vehicle.

Libby enjoyed being with her family, including her grandkids. Her and her husband often accompanied their eldest daughter's family on vacations including destinations such as Mexico and Alaska. Her hobbies included sewing, arts and crafts, painting portraits, completing puzzles, reading books, and cutting out newspaper clippings. She loved flowers and gardening. She was also known for writing things down as they occurred including directions to a destination she would never travel again. She also enjoyed working on genealogy. She taught her eldest granddaughter and together they would visit the Mormon temple to search through microfilm. She also enjoyed attending dances and listening to Big Band and Swing music from the 1940s era.

She leaves behind her three eldest children Ann (Ron) Saunders, Jane (Mike) Rohman, and Tom (Jane) Laris. Her seven grandkids Marie Saunders, Jeff (Korby) Saunders, Kevin (Nicole) Laris, Kellie (Chris) Williams, April (Anya) Rohman-Solotskaya, Sara (Sean) Lubach, and Kristen (Dan) Wanner. Her twelve great-grandkids Shanna and Justin Del Toro, Logan and Chase Saunders, Dylan, Brayden, and Jordyn Laris, Elliot and Maverick Lubach, Clayton and Connor Williams, and Landon Wanner. Along with many nieces and nephews.

She’s preceded in death by her husband Mario G. Laris, son Patrick Laris, parent's Jesse and Maude Wendler, brother William Wendler, and two sisters Mary Johnson and Jessie Trickey.

A viewing will be on Friday, April 19, from 5pm to 7pm at Grissom's Chapel & Mortuary, San Lorenzo, CA. Followed by a 12pm Mass on Saturday, April 20, at St Clement's Catholic Church, Hayward. Burial will be on Monday, April 22, at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno. She will be deeply missed by all.