Velia "Betty" Gutierrez-Lauerman

Velia Gutierrez Lauerman

July 10, 1935 - April 23, 2026

Velia "Betty" Gutierrez Lauerman, 90, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of creativity, leadership, and boundless love that enriched countless lives throughout her remarkable nine decades.

Born July 10, 1935, in Texas to Paulo Gutierrez and Candelaria Torres, Velia was united in marriage with Raymond Joseph Lauerman in 1953. Together, they established their home in Taylor, Michigan, where they raised their family and built a community.

A woman of exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Velia distinguished herself in her career at Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where she demonstrated remarkable leadership as union president for the Communications Workers Union (CWU), championing the rights and welfare with courage and conviction.

Velia's artistic mastery as a quilter was legendary. She possessed an extraordinary gift for sewing, alterations, and hand-crafted quilting, generously sharing her expertise and passion with all who sought her guidance. Her discerning eye for appraising quilts was surpassed only by her gracious spirit in mentoring others, sharing her expertise and passion at Wayne County Community College, numerous local quilting guilds, etc. As a devoted archivist of sewing books and classic literature, she served as a guardian of knowledge, preserving invaluable wisdom.

Music flowed through every aspect of Velia's life, having learned piano at home as a young child. Her spirited, impromptu boogie-woogie performances brought joy to countless gatherings, often accompanied by Raymond in song. Her talents are shared by many of her children and grandchildren, who carry forward her creative instincts.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Raymond, son Robert John Lauerman, and daughter Reina Joy (James) Skelton. Survived by: Raymond Joseph (Lynda) Lauerman Jr., and Rudy James (Cate) Lauerman; seven grandchildren: James Robert Lauerman, Nicholas John Lauerman, Michael Raymond Lauerman, Isabelle Ann Lauerman, Emma Catherine Lauerman, Leslie Rose Shirey, Louis Raymond Pickner, and Robert Skelton; and three great-grandsons.

Velia was truly an icon —a woman who embodied strength, beauty, and resourcefulness while cherishing authentic human connections with remarkable spirit and determination.

A memorial service and celebration of life honoring Velia's life will be held in July. Service details will be announced at a later date.