Obit: Laabs, Harold W. (1916 – 1966) 

Contact: Dinah Reinke

Email: dinah@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Laabs, Cross, Schraufnagel, Bergstrom, Kasmierzak, Habelman, Cram, Hermanson, Pease, Herbst, Schultz, Glenzer, Burtard, Fricke, Bulgrim, Untiedt, Bowen, Lokken, Johnson, Kraut, Tonn, Kasper, Klessig, Staab

------ Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford and Colby, Clark Co., Wis.) 06/09/1966

------ Laabs, Harold W (15 APR 1916 – 31 MAY 1966)

Funeral services for Harold W. Laabs, 50, Tomah, a former Curtiss resident, were held June 4 at the Gloria Dei Lutheran church, Tomah.  The Rev. Raymond Quade officiated, and burial was in the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery, Curtiss.  Mr. Laabs died May 31 at his home in Tomah, of an apparent heart attack.

Pallbearers were John Cross, Eldred Schraufnagel, Edward Bergstrom, Frank Kasmierzak, Robert Habelman and Harold Cram.

Harold Laabs was born April 15, 1916.  He received his education at Abbotsford schools and was a graduate of Wentworth military academy, Mo.  His marriage to Martha Hermanson, who survives, took place Dec. 26, 1939, at Curtiss.

Mr. Laabs served several terms as Curtiss village president, and was very active in area civic and social functions.  He was a scoutmaster at Curtiss, and many scouts became eagle scouts under his leadership.  He as also a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church, and a member of the Lions club at Tomah.  He had been living in Tomah for the past six years.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Harold Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, and Gerald at home; five brothers, Herman of Concordia, Mo., Benjamin, Abbotsford, Orville, Arthur and Fred, Curtiss; one sister, Mrs. George (Missabelle) Pease, Bay City, Mich.  He was preceded in death by one brother.

Out-of-town people were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Herbst and daughter, Chicago, Ill., Bernard Laabs and John, Abbotsford, Mr. and Mrs. George Pease, Bay City, Mich., Arve Hermanson and Henry Hermanson, Brooks, Ind., Bernard Laabs Jr., New Ulm, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Orville Laabs, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Laabs and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Laabs and family, Emil Laabs, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schultz, Curtiss, Mr. and Mrs. John Cross, Marshfield, Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Schraufnagel, Tomah, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bergstrom and son, Arven, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Bergstrom, Colby, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Laabs, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Glenzer, Mr. and Mrs. John Burtard, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fricke, Mrs. Mary Bulgrim, Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Untiedt, Mr. and Mrs. Les Bowen, Curtiss, Mr. and Mrs. John Lokken, Lyle Johnson, Donald Kraut, Mrs. Anna Tonn, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schultz and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Kasper, Unity, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Klessig, Colby, Edward Staab, Dorchester, and many others from surrounding areas.