Eugene Walter Lauria, age 89, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at The Brook in West Branch. He formerly resided in Pinconning until moving 3 1/2 years ago to The Brook Assisted Living West Branch.
He was born on October 23, 1932 in Kawkawlin Township, Bay City, MI to George “Walter” Lauria and Elsie Josephine Dubay.
Eugene was married for 59 1/2 years to Martha Hattie Kraska. They were married on June 30, 1956 at Visitations Catholic Church in Bay City. Martha preceded him in death on February 2, 2016.
Eugene served in the United States Army 6th Armored Division as an Engineer Soldier, from 1950-1952, returning to the USA from Camp Tokorozawa, Japan. He retired from the International Union of Bricklayers, Cement Mason, Masonry and Allied Craftworkers Local 2-MI (BAC Local 7-MI), was a life member of the VFW Post 9853 Florida and worked 27 continuous years with the member of the American Legion Post 0104 in Standish. He enjoyed Martha’s delicious polish cooking, hunting, hobby farming, outdoors, gaming, challenging puzzles and country classic music, and his two cherished pets, Taco & Kiki.
Eugene is survived by five children, Randy (Kim) Lauria of Riley, Linda (Robert) Smith of West Branch, Donald Lauria Sr. of Pinconning, Susan Sobieray (Friend Brian Kelly) of St Helen, and Colleen Lauria (Friend Dave Bishop) of St Helen; 24 grandchildren, Joshua Lauria of Culpepper, VA, Justin Lauria of Austin, TX, Janeen (Kevin) Wenglikowski of Grawn, Eric (Kendra) Ireland of West Branch, Jordyn Smith of West Branch, Kristen (Chris) Schank of North Branch, Thomas (Lisa) Crawford of Linden, Melissa (Kevin) Heires of Midland, Shawn (Jessica) Lauria of Saginaw, Donald Lauria, Jr. of Midland, Jacob (Sara) Sobieray of Pinconning, Jessica (Brian) Soreng of Plainfield, IN, Jason (Kaitlyn) Sobieray of Iliff, CO, and Forest (Jennifer) Schuldt of St. Helen; 20 great grandchildren, Rachael (Justin) Berthiaume of Colorado Springs, CO, Matthew Wenglikowski of Grawn, Alexis & Gianna Crawford of Linden, Maggie & Boone Schank of North Branch, Laila Ireland, Kennedy Hornbacher of West Branch, Piper Lauria of Saginaw, Alexander & Joey Kloha, Claire, Jemma & Noel Heires of Midland, Amelia, Olivia & Isabella Sobieray of Pinconning, and Elizabeth & Zori Schuldt of Sioux City, IA; 3 great great grandchildren, Charlotte, Colton & Claire Berthiaume of Colorado Springs, CO; brothers, Norman (Dolly) Lauria of Bay City, Larry (Luana) Lauria of West Branch; and sisters-in-law, Kathy Lauria of Essexville and Carolyn Kraska of Bay City; brother-in-law, Edward Kraska (Friend Andrea Green) of St. Helen; special Brook friends, Shirley Bedard & Francine Hungerford of West Branch, as well as multiple resident friends at The Brook Assisted Living in West Branch.
Preceded in death along with Martha are his parents, great grandson, John Michael Soreng, son-in-law, Dennis Ireland, brothers, Gerald H. “Jerry” & Walter “Junior” Lauria, sisters-in-law, Diane Lauria-Miller, Sharon Kraska and brother-in-law, Carl “CB” Kraska.
Thank you to The Brook staff for dad’s care. Thank you to Compassus Hospice Team (Jacob Farrand, Jaime Rau, Cindy, Carley & Chaplin Randy) for their short-term compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 416 E. Pinconning Rd Pinconning, MI at 11:00 am. There will be a graveside service with military honors at 1:00 pm at St. Mary’s Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Pinconning. Pastor Ken Peterson will officiate. A memorial luncheon will follow the graveside service at the family farm.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions be made to The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US (VFW) / The American Legion, P.O. Box 523, Standish, MI 48658.
Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI www.steuernolmclaren.com
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