Unless otherwise noted photos and copyright 2024 Mike Strong KCDance.Com and Mike Strong Photo Gallery and CV Site - Email This Page

Louis E. LeMere

Louis was always a friend, to so many people who came through Arthur Murray's.

 

Just a few pictures

This is the
original
announcement
page

 

Remembering Louis

 

09-16-04


(left) Taking a "spin" while preparing for a comp. - (right) Heather, Louis and Darren clowning

In August 1994 I decided to try again for dance lessons. I had taken some at a studio downtown in 1979 and gotten burned on the money and never felt that I learned much. Louis Le Mere (LEW-iss) told me that he didn't have contracts at Arthur Murray, he had agreements. They looked a lot like contracts but you weren't going to get "lawyered."

After some time I broke off regular private lessons there but never broke off contact. Even if an agreement wasn't a contract I always felt just a tiny tad guilty. I would still show up to visit. Louis was always gracious and interested. I started kcdance.com and Louis was interested in that. As with everyone else, I made sure I had a page for Arthur Murray's on my site.

Then August I learned that Louis was in the hospital. I forgot the reason that I had driven over to the studio just west of I-35 and north of 87th Street but lessons were in progress. Before long I was told that Louis was in the hospital. At Dance in the Park (11 Sep 2004) I asked how Louis was. No one knew for sure yet. He was still hospitilized.

This saturday I stopped by to drop off some pictures of Olé but there was a sign on the door saying they were closed Friday and Saturday. Sunday I picked up Mary Ann's email, sent the previous evening. Louis had died.

An area for comments is at the bottom of this page.


Studio Remembrance

Sunday, October 3, 2004 Louis was remembered at the studio. I got there just a little after 1pm thinking the visitors would be starting shortly. They were already there. The parking lot in front of Arthur Murray's was full and overflowing well into the lot across the street. Click here for a few pictures

There were visitors from hundreds of miles away and visitors from years away.


The First Announcements

Below are the earlier announcements and and area for comments:


Here is Louis in 1994 working with Harriet for a show in another state. Harriet drove from Wichita for lessons with Louis

Announcement for the studio remembrance:
"There will be a Gathering to Celebrate Louis' Life at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio Sunday, October 3, 2004, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM."

From Mary Ann Hope's email dated Saturday 18 Sept 2004:

We have all been hoping for a miracle for Louis, but it was not to be. Louis passed away Thursday afternoon, 09-16-04. Six weeks ago, doctors determined that he had a congenital atrial septal defect, a hole in his heart, which kept his blood from oxygenating effectively. They were not able to correct the problem

Louis was only forty-four years old. He began dancing at Arthur Murray in South Bend, IN when he was eighteen. He was at studios in South Bend, Omaha and Wichita before coming to Kansas City in 1988.


In the studio

The Arthur Murray Studio at 8626 Quivira in Lenexa, KS will continue to operate under the management of Darren Carpenter.

There will be a memorial service in Kansas City some time in the near future. Immediate arrangements are in Indiana. The visitation is Tuesday, 09-21-04 from 2:00-4:00 PM and from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544. The funeral is Wednesday, 09-22-04 at 11:00 AM. The telephone number for the funeral home is 574-255-1519.

Donations in Louis' name can be made to the Crypic Masons Medical Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1489, Nashville, IN 47448.


Darren and Louis at last year's after party for Sierra Latina (27 Sept 2003). Olé Flamenco appeared. They use the Arthur Murray studio to meet and practice.


Mallee, Louis and Darren in Oct 1994


Louis


Links:
The studio remembrance Oct 3, 2004
The studio's web site: http://www.kcarthurmurray.com
KCDance page for Arthur Murray's


Links to Arthur Murray on KC Dance

Arthur Murray Kansas City Home Page

Arthur Murray Dance Studio
9217 Pflumm Lenexa, KS 66215
Phone (913) 599-4444
Fax (913) 599-1411

The Arthur Murray Studio is through that door and one floor up at 9217 Pflumm in Lenexa, KS 66215
The Arthur Murray Studio is through that door and one floor up in those second-floor windows.

100th Anniversary of Arthur Murray's teaching
New location in Old Lenexa Town at 9217 Pflumm as of Jan 1, 2009
Former Location at Quivira - (1997 page with some later pictures)

Louis Le Mere:
Remembrance
Announcement Page