Mrs. Laas was born Martha Jane Ball on Feb. 22, 1925, in Salina. She taught at Brookville Grade School for many years, retiring in 1990. She was a member of Brookville Senior Citizens, Brookville PMO Club and the KNEA and NEA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto, in 2002.

Survivors include a son, Timothy and wife Hala of Tomball, Texas; two daughters, Brenda Wikoff and husband Ed of Brookville and Dana Livingston and husband Kenneth of Abilene; a brother, Max Ball and wife Theda of Norton; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church, 302 S. Seventh, Salina. Burial will be in Bavaria Cemetery, Bavaria.

Memorials may be made to the church or Brookville Senior Citizens.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.