Richard "Rich" Bruno Lauritsen

Richard “Rich” Bruno Lauritsen, the son of Bruno and Rozelle Irene (Miller) Lauritsen, was born November 13, 1940, at the Chris Winther home in Douglas Township Audubon County, Iowa and died March 12, 2015, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 74 years, 3 months, and 29 days.
Rich was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended the Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1958. During school Rich worked at the Alfalfa Mill and also set pins at the bowling alley. He moved to California where he lived for a short time then returned to Omaha, Nebraska and worked for Cornhusker Paving. After a few years he moved back to Audubon and was employed as a mechanic at Louie’s Standard gas station.
On September 9, 1962, he was united in marriage to Janice Sliester at the Methodist Church in Manilla, Iowa. Three children Lori and twins Paul and Patrick were born to this union. Rich continued working at the Standard station as a mechanic, but also maintained the car wash. He worked there for over forty years until he retired. During retirement he did several odd jobs and cleaned the local Memorial Building and the Extension Office until he had to quit due to his failing health.
Rich had been a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. He was a member of the Audubon Jaycee’s and the Isaac Walton League. When he was younger he enjoyed playing slow pitch and fast pitch softball. He enjoyed all sports especially watching the St. Louis Cardinals. He took many enjoyable trips with his mother and sisters to the nearby casinos. Rich was an avid hunter and fisherman and relished the peacefulness of the outdoors. Most of all he loved being with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandson.
Rich was preceded in death by an infant son Patrick Lauritsen; his parents; his son-in-law Jeff Nelson; his brothers Jerry Lauritsen and Paul Lauritsen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Bernard “Brownie” and wife Velma Sliester; his brothers-in-law Larry Hill, Eldon “Butch” Sliester, his niece Elizabeth Hill; and nephew Todd Nielsen.
Survivors include his wife Jan Lauritsen of Audubon, Iowa; his children Lori and husband Tony Hilsabeck of Slater, Iowa and Paul and wife Donna Lauritsen of Waukee, Iowa; his grandchildren Sarah and husband Travis Petersen of Slater, Iowa, Estee Hilsabeck of Ames, Iowa, Bailey, Morgan, and Emma Lauritsen all of Waukee, Iowa; his great grandson Brooks Petersen of Slater, Iowa; His brothers and sisters Judy Hill of Exira, Iowa, Patty Lauritsen of Kimballton, Iowa, Cheryl and husband Jerry Wahlert of Exira, Iowa, Sally and husband Roger Williams of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Mary and husband Delbert Christensen of Audubon, Iowa, and Kent (Butch) and wife Teresa Lauritsen of Lockbourne, Ohio; his sisters-in-law Belva Crooks of Winter Park, Florida and Sandi Lauritsen of Audubon, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.