Thomas R. "Tom" Lauritsen

Thomas R. “Tom” Lauritsen, 71, of Dannebrog, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Burial will be in the Loup Fork Cemetery near Boelus. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Lauritsen was born on Dec. 8, 1941, on the family farm, west of Dannebrog, the son of Ray and Rachel (Steinke) Lauritsen. He was united in marriage to Virginia A. Dzingle on Sept. 30, 1967, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rockville. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of Dannebrog; one daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Dan Placke of Johnstown, CO; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Darren and Leah Anne Lauritsen of Dannebrog and Dave Lauritsen of Lincoln; and one brother and sister-in-law, Randy and LaVonne Lauritsen of Ponca City, OK. He also leaves to cherish his memory, 5 grandchildren, Shelby Placke, Haley Placke, Kylee Placke, Parker Lauritsen and Jadyn Lauritsen; and his in-laws, Ralph and Dolores Dzingle of Loup City. Tom grew up on the family farm and attended Dannebrog Public School. He was a 1959 graduate of Dannebrog High School. He then attended college for one year and returned to farm with his father and uncle. He served in the Army National Guard from Dec. 1963 to Dec. 1969. He and Virginia farmed their entire married life on the family farm west of Dannebrog. Tom was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. He was also a member of the Dannebrog Country Club, where he enjoyed serving as a groundskeeper and was also a former Howard County Fair Board member. Tom enjoyed golfing, woodworking and casino trips. He also loved attending his children's high school sporting events and enjoyed bowling and playing softball in his younger years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Rachel Lauritsen; and his uncle, Hans Lauritsen. Memorials are suggested to Sts. Peter & Paul New Parish Hall Fund.