Life History of Marcel F. Lauper
On the 1st of May 1938, I was, I thought qualified and happy to receive my release, and with it I departed Denmark, taking one last trip for a look of Aalborg, to Odense, and there stayed in the home of Sister Petersen--a special experience. This was a particularly strange feeling for it was about one year earlier when Elder Clarence Larsen and I had knelt in prayer, asking for direction to a section into which we should tract. There were some pretty fine homes in that district, and as we were directed to Sister Petersen’s home, she opened the door about one inch--a space sufficient only to enable me to squeeze a tract through. As we returned on successive attempts, we noted her sad eyes, and eventually were able to talk with her, learning that her husband had recently died and she was hoping she could follow him in death. We learned she remained some nights at the gravesite so late that the police had to bring her home to save her from voluntarily freezing to death. She joined the Church! And it changed her life and outlook, becoming a member of the Relief Society presidency. This sweet sister offered me 500 crowns if I would do proxy baptism for her husband, which I gladly did when I returned to Salt Lake (but without accepting the money, of course). This was a blessing for me to do this ordinance for her deceased husband, of whom Sister Petersen always spoke so highly of, stating he was a much greater person than she.
From Denmark, I went down through Germany and France and Switzerland, where I was able to connect with brother Dennis--serving there in the Swiss-French Mission. Dennis took me to LeMuids where we saw the home that our Grandfather and our Father had helped to build, and we went to Geneva where we saw the ivy-covered house where our Father, Emile Louis Lauper, was born. Dennis and I boated out onto Lake Leman and Lake Geneva, then to a cellar where we tasted the finest cheeses I've ever savored in my life! We bid a fond adieu as I then went on to Paris, England, and eventually met some of the people that Ivan had known during his missionary days. There was one special family out at Worcester, the Gunnisons. Many good memories linger as I relive this tour and my boat trip back to the United States to be welcomed by the sight of the Statue of Liberty. I went into New York and on up to Hartford, Connecticut where I visited with some former members of our little Ventura, California Branch--the Clifford boys, friends of our family. This was. a good time. I went into our Nation's capitol where Ivan's former missionary companion, Cleone Skousen, treated me royally, keeping me at his home overnight and took me to Church, also taking me through the Capitol building, the FBI offices where he worked--into J. Edgar Hoover's office. At length I was on the train headed westward, whereon I had some enjoyable chats with other passengers. In Salt Lake, I was met by Mother, Helen No.1 and Viola. We went down to Lehi, having a nice celebration with our relatives there, going into the canyons and thereabout. Of course there was a reunion and much visiting with Uncle Julius and Aunt Lina before leaving Salt Lake, and then we went into Southern California to Ivan's and Helen's home. I recall visiting there a short while, for I spoke before a Service Club, of which Ivan was an officer, before progressing back to Ventura. I made my missionary report there on the first Sabbath day, afterward visiting the graveside of my father at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, leaving the same day for Oakland, California--which was now the home of my family. I was greeted by Ralph and taken to my new home and circumstances. I found that Viola was now employed at John Breuner Furniture, and each of the family had jobs at the time. Although I can't recall details of Ralph's employment, I recall he instigated my going to a haberdashery to be outfitted for a couple of new suits, to be paid for at $2.00 per week. Ralph was also able to help me get into the social swing in my new locale, this being mainly among the Ward and Stake younger sets. All the while we had duties and responsibilities and it is now hard for me to believe how much we were called on to speak in church. I remember one time when Ralph had three bids and I two, for the same evening. There is scripture which states "This, too, shall pass", and I've lived to see the day when some of my family wouldn't walk across the street to hear me talk, which causes me to comment; fame and glory of this kind is very short-lived.
Dennis returned home from his mission, and Ralph was called to serve in Denmark. Both he and Dennis represented Dimond Ward of the Oakland, California Stake. In the meantime, I had applied to John Breuner Company, the largest home furnishing company in Northern California. This was purely at the instigation of sister, Viola, who had been working as bookkeeper with Brueners. My sister's employment record was wonderfully good and it was because of her recommendation that I was considered; however, the Bruener employment policy did not permit two of a family at one time. So it was, I took a place with Dewey Furniture until the summer of 1940 when Viola left them to be married. With her departure, I was contacted and received my big chance with that large firm.
At this time the family was in line for a new automobile; and on this subject I will recount that prior to my mission I had started the purchase of a little green Chevrolet sedan --this at a cost of $677.00 on a contract that was paid off by other members of the family after my departure. That little old Chevy was used now as a down payment on a new Chevrolet, which served the entire family long and well. That auto saw much romancing and could tell lots of stories. It took Dennis, during the next year, over to Utah where he claimed his bride, Helen Froerer. Soon after Dennis’ marriage, he was called to serve in the Dimond Ward Bishopric, and I was called into the Oakland Stake High Council. I was then 26 years of age and still single.