Laurel Lohse

Laurel August Lohse, 82, of New York Mills, MN, and formerly of Deer Creek, died July 31, 2010 at the Elders Home in New York Mills. He was born to Otto and Clara (Albright) Lohse on January 25, 1928 in rural Vergas. He graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1946. Laurel served in the United States Navy from June 5, 1945 to April 2, 1948, mostly in the Pacific waters. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Minneapolis where he worked at Rapinwax Paper Company. There he met Doris Geraine Greear, and they were married March 24, 1950. They lived in Minneapolis and New Brighton raising four children. He was in the sheet metal fabricating business, being part-owner of North Central Metal Products in Minneapolis for many years. In 1972, they moved to Deer Creek where he owned and operated Deer Creek Fabricating. He moved the business to Little Falls, operating as Falls Fabricating, in 1987. Laurel was interested in all sports; and worked with Little League Baseball teams when his boys were young. Laurel considered himself blessed to be able to share his love of “Nature” with his family and friends, as in hunting, fishing, golfing, and snowmobiling. They lived six years in the Leader area, raising cattle, also raising and racing quarterhorses. He was a charter member of the Deer Creek Lions and the Leader Area Lions. Survivors include his wife of 60 years Doris "Gerry"; daughter Deborah Bell of Duluth; sons Dennis Lohse of Los Angeles, CA, David (Shannon) Lohse of West Fargo, ND, and Brian (Becky) Lohse of Little Falls; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; brother Norbert Lohse of New Brighton; sisters-in-law Leone Lohse of Blaine and Luann Greear of Sioux Falls, SD; brother-in-law Preston Greear of Blaine; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as life-long friends Pidge and Marie Truax of Deer Creek. Laurel was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Clara; brother Donald; sisters Recella Rolfe and Edna Freund. Laurel’s funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on August 4, 2010, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek with Pastor Paul Yearyean officiating. He was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery, in rural Deer Creek. Military honors were provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN. Casketbearers were grandsons Michael Lohse, Justin Lohse, Jeffrey Lohse, Charles Bell, Jon Lohse, and James Lohse. Honorary casketbearers were grandchildren Andrew Lohse, Trae Lohse, Trista Lohse, Nicole Bell, Natalie Bell, Jenna Lohse, and great-grandchildren Ian Lewandowski, Charron Lohse, Madison Lohse, William Lohse, Isabella Lohse, and Brody Lohse.

Laurel Lohse

January 25, 1928 - July 31, 2010