Obit: Laufenberg, Michael Duane (1953 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Laufenberg, Vetrone, Abendroth, Gilmour, Simonson, Frazee, Nemeth, Hedke, Meyers, Hardy, Thelen

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/20/2020

Laufenberg, Michael Duane (26 July 1953 – 10 May 2020)

Michael Duane Laufenberg, 66, of Hixton, died on May 10, 2020 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. He was born on July 26, 1953 in Black River Falls, son of Bernard and Dorothy Laufenberg. He married Deborah L. Vetrone on September 24, 1977 in Alma Center.

After graduating from Alma Center High School, Michael worked at South Alma Cheese Factory for over forty years. He also worked at Cain’s Orchard and mowed St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alma Center. Michael enjoyed car shows, shooting off fireworks, and picking up cans and smashing them.

Michael is survived by his wife, Deborah Laufenberg (Vetrone); son, Kevin (Terri) Laufenberg; daughters: Kelli Laufenberg and Kim (Gabe) Laufenberg; brothers: Jim (Beth), Bernard (Patricia), Peter (JoAnn), David (Tara), Duane, and George (Tia) Laufenberg; sisters: Cathy Abendroth, Theresa (Randy) Gilmour, Caroline (Allan) Simonson, Anne Laufenberg, and Mary (Eric) Frazee; grandchildren: Olivia L. Nemeth and Peyton L. Hedke; step-grandchildren: Jordan Meyers, Kaleb Hardy, Isaac Hardy; and step-great grandson, Brett Hardy.

Michael was preceded in death by his daughter, Kari Laufenberg; parents, Bernard and Dorothy Laufenberg; sister, Rose; parents-in-law, William and Vivian Vetrone; and brothers-in-law, Eddie Vetrone and John Abendroth.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI in accordance with CDC guidelines. Private services for the immediate family will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2020. After private services, the public is invited to join the family at noon on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 for a committal ceremony at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alma Center, with Father Dan Thelen officiating.

In honor of Michael, the family asks that those attending the visitation at the funeral home or the committal at the cemetery, to please wear blue jeans and a t-shirt, especially orange if possible.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensen-modjeskifh.com.  Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton, is assisting the family with arrangements.