Jerry Lee Lauritsen

Jerry Lee Lauritsen, the son of Bruno and Rozelle Irene (Miller) Lauritsen, was born August 6, 1939, at Chris Winther’s home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died March 4, 2015, at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 6 months, and 8 days.
Jerry was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. While growing up, Jerry would sweep the drive at his favorite uncle’s, Louie Lauritsen, Standard Gas Station and also set pins at the local bowling alley. He attended Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1957. Following graduation he was employed at Deb’s Kote where he produced bowling pins for several years then worked for Talbot-Carlson Incorporated as a carpenter.
On June 27, 1970, he was united in marriage to Sandra Lea Howland at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He continued to work for TCI until the business closed. Jerry then worked for Country Kennels transporting dogs for several years until it closed its doors. He was employed at the Audubon Lumber Yard until he retired. During retirement he worked as a bartender for Cliff Petersen and later Mark Heller and Mike Wede at Cliff’s Lounge. During this time he also operated his own house painting business.
Jerry was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He served for several years with the Army National Guard. When Jerry was younger he enjoyed playing fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball for several area teams. He enjoyed bowling and watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Jerry was an avid Hawkeye fan and was voted the #1 Hawkeye fan in the State of Iowa in 2007.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Paul Lauritsen, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Orville and Thelma Howland; his brothers-in-law: Larry Hill, Darwin Howland, and Dalton Howland; his sister-in-law Cheryl Nickel; and his nephews Todd Nielsen, Jeff Nelson, and Patrick Lauritsen.
Survivors include his wife Sandi L. Lauritsen of Audubon, Iowa; his brothers and sisters: Rich and wife Jan Lauritsen of Audubon, Iowa, 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 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Donna and husband Marvin Straight of Gravette, Arkansas, Linda Jorgensen of Atlantic, Iowa, Delbert and wife Jayne Howland of Anniston, Alabama, Karen and husband Merle Petersen, Alane and husband Keith Wilson, Danny Nickel all of Guthrie Center, Iowa, and Rob Jorgensen of Audubon, Iowa, many nieces, nephews other relatives, and many friends.
The honorary casket bearers will be Milo Clemmensen, Cliff Petersen, Rich Hansen, Doug Hilsabeck, Larry Cavanaugh, James (Buzz) Cavanaugh, Jr., Rob Jorgensen, Larry Siebert, and Darwin Haskins. The casket bearers will be Mark Heller, Mike Wede, Steve Stetzel, Kirk Wiges, Roger Bylund, and Gary Gust.