Edward Benjamin Lauritsen

Edward Benjamin Lauritsen, the son of Benjamin and Lena Jorgensen Lauritsen, was born November 27, 1927, at his parents home in rural Audubon County, Iowa and died January 5, 2010, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 82 years, 1 month, and 8 days.
Ed was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended rural schools in Audubon County and then graduated from the Guthrie Center High School with the Class of 1946. Ed worked for several local farmers, until he was inducted into the U.S. Army on November 9, 1950. During his tour of duty he served in Korea. He was honorably discharged on October 7, 1952. Ed returned to Audubon and became the financial manager for A.B.C. Finance Corporation.
In September of 1956, he was united in marriage to Donna Weston at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. Three children Timothy, Lisa, and Laura were born to this union.
On January 5, 1972, Ed married Elaine Sorensen Lauritsen at a Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Ed continued working as the financial manager for over 35 years, retiring in 1988. During retirement Ed enjoyed playing golf and Ed and Elaine enjoyed spending their winters in Texas.
Ed was a member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. He was on the Veterans Affairs Board and was a member of the V.F.W. and a past member of the American Legion.
Preceding him in death were Ed and Elaines infant son Paul Lauritsen; his parents; his brothers: Emmert Lauritsen and Earl Lauritsen; his brothers-in law: Daniel Pennel and Harold and Karen Sorensen and family; and his sister-in-law: Doris Lauritsen and his former wife Donna Weston Lauritsen.
Survivors include his wife Elaine Lauritsen of Audubon, IA; his children: Timothy Lauritsen of North Liberty, IA; Lisa and James Mauer of Arvada, CO; Laura and James Hallinan of Lansing KS; his step-children: Kay and Steve Wilt of Gurnee, IL; Brian & Nicci Lauritsen of Lamar, CO; Bruce and Barb Lauritsen of Guthrie Center, IA; his grandchildren: James Mauer, Jr and Jacob Mauer, both of Arvada, CO; Joshua Mauer of San Diego, CA; Jay Mauer and Jared Mauer, both of Arvada, CO; Jason and Sarah Hallinan of Windfield, KS; Nicole Hallinan of Basehor, KS; his great-grandchild Kadyn White of Basehor, KS; his step-grandchildren: Jaime Wilt and Aylssa Wilt, both of Gurnee, IL; Ashley and Mike Traher of Phoenix, AZ; Matthew Andrade and Lauren Andrade, both of Lamar, CO; Jonathan Lauritsen and Anna Lauritsen, both of Guthrie Center; his sister and brothers: Norma Pennel of Petersburg, WVA; Virgil Lauritsen of Sac City, IA; Raymond and Dorothy Lauritsen of Ft. Wayne, IN; Dale and Donna Rae Lauritsen of Webster City, IA; his sisters-in-law: Ella Lauritsen of Exira, IA; Rose and Maynard Madsen of Audubon; Loretta and Irvin Eldredge of Indiana; his brother-in-law George and Joan Sorensen of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Christopher Martin on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon.