Louis 'Louie' Philip Lauritsen

Louis Philip Lauritsen, the son of Anders (Andrew) and Maren Pehlsen Lauritsen, was born March 3, 1923 at his parents’ home near Hamlin, Iowa and died December 19, 2011 at his home in Farmington, New Mexico at the age of 88 years, 9 months, and 16 days. Louis (Louie) was baptized and confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. He attended rural school near Hamlin then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1940 and then was employed as an auto mechanic at the Standard Oil Station in Audubon. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, December 1941, Louie, along with several friends, enlisted in the United States Navy. During his tour of duty he served in the Armed Guard aboard the U.S.S. Edward Rutledge and the U.S.S. Woodrow Wilson seeing action in the European-African Theater. He received the bronze star and commendations for action of his gun crew under fire by enemy aircraft in Selarno, Italy in September of 1943. Louie was honorably discharged on October 15, 1945 attaining the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Second Class. He returned to Audubon where he owned and operated Standard Oil/Amoco Service Stations including Louie’s Standard Oil in Audubon. On February 9, 1948 he was united in marriage to Mary Lee Wolf at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Carroll, Iowa. Two daughters Rene and Marcie were born to this union. Louie owned and operated the service stations until he retired in 1983. Louie was a very special person. He was a wonderful husband to his precious Mary Lee, caring for her until his health no longer allowed. Mary Lee died May 28, 2003. They were married 55 years. He cared for his mother, a young widow, with 7 children, until her death. He kept watch on many widow ladies and their cars to keep them safe on the road. Louie was an exceptional father, grandfather, and father–in-law, and uncle, generous to his family and friends. He liked to entertain at home and at their second home at Lake View. A favorite party was having lobsters flown in from Maine and enjoying with family and friends. Louie loved to travel and saw many countries and parts of the United States while in the Navy, and with awards for salesmanship from Standard Oil /AMOCO including trips to Washington, DC; Florida; Texas; Paris, France; Nassau, Bahamas; Hawaii and Canada. He traveled with other Audubonites on See Sell Iowa Caravan (3 years) to many locations in the United States. In later years he journeyed with his family and friends to Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Alaska and Mexico. Louie enjoyed many hobbies including flying, hunting, fishing, boating, and woodworking. Louie was a lifetime member Audubon County Resident until he moved to New Mexico in 2009. Louie was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. He converted to Catholic upon his marriage to Mary Lee. His faith was important and guided him throughout his life. Louie was active member of the Audubon community. He was honored with the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1976 and was a past director. He served and supported many organizations including Audubon City Council, Knights of Columbus, Audubon Industrial Development, Veterans of Foreign Wars (past commander and District 7 Commander, Life member over 67 years), Friendship Home Board (16 years), Lake View Improvement Board, Audubon Airport Committee, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Audubon Country Club (past president), Pheasants Forever, Danish Immigrant Museum. Louie testified on behalf of Standard Oil during a Congressional hearing in Washington, DC in 1968. He was on the Standard Oil Dealer Advisory Board. Louie was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lee Lauritsen; his granddaughter Sara Christine James; his parents; his brothers: Bruno and wife Rozelle Lauritsen Madison, Harry and wife Peggy Lauritsen, Andrew Lauritsen, Jr, Earl Lauritsen; his sisters: Helen Lauritsen, Eva and husband Curt Wilson; his brothers-in law and sisters-in-law: Maxine and husband Leo McWeeny, Katherine and husband Reed Bingham, Robert Brenden, Calvin Bristow, Clare Wolf and Walter Light. Survivors include his daughters: Rene’ and husband Paul James of Farmington, New Mexico; Marcie and husband William Mann of Monument, Colorado; his grandsons: Joshua Louis and wife Lauren Mann of Houston, Texas; Kristoffer William Mann of Dallas, Texas; his sisters-in-law: Helen Wolf of Scranton, Arkansas; Shirley Bristow of Backus, Minnesota; Nedra Light of Denver, Colorado; Patricia Brenden of Northfield, Minnesota; and his many special nieces and nephews who knew him as the fun and favorite “Uncle Louie”.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Audubon.

Service:
Celebration of life memorial mass will be conducted by Father Wayne Gubbels on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.