Laurel August Lohse, 82, of New York Mills, and formerly of Deer Creek, died July 31, 2010 at the Elders Home in New York Mills.

Funeral services were held Aug. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek with Pastor Paul Yearyean officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Deer Creek. Military honors were provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, VFW, Wadena.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena.

Laurel was born Jan. 25, 1928, to Otto and Clara (Albright) Lohse in rural Vergas. He graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1946.

Laurel served in the U.S. Navy from June 5, 1945 to April 2, 1948, mostly in the Pacific waters. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Minneapolis where he worked at Rapinwax Paper Company. He married Doris Geraine Greear March 24, 1950. They made their home in Minneapolis. He was in the sheet metal fabricating business, being part-owner of North Central Metal Products in Minneapolis for many years. In 1972, they moved to Deer Creek where he owned and operated Deer Creek Fabricating. He moved the business to Little Falls, operating as Falls Fabricating, in 1987.

Laurel worked with Little League Baseball, raised cattle and racing quarterhorses. He was a charter member of the Deer Creek Lions and also the Leader Area Lions. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and snowmobiling.

Laurel is survived by his wife of 60 years; one daughter, Deborah Bell of Duluth; three sons Dennis Lohse of Los Angeles, Calif.; David (Shannon) Lohse of West Fargo, N.D.; Brian (Becky) Lohse of Little Falls; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Norbert Lohse of New Brighton; two sisters-in-law, Leone Lohse of Blaine; Luann Greear of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one brother-in-law, Preston Greear of Blaine; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as life-long friends Pidge and Marie Truax of Deer Creek.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald; and two sisters, Recella Rolfe and Edna Freund.

Casket bearers were grandsons Michael, Justin, Jeffrey, Jon, James Lohse and Charles Bell.

Honorary casket bearers were grandchildren Andrew, Trae, Trista and Jenna Lohse, Nicole and- Natalie Bell, great-grandchildren Ian Lewandowski, Charron, Madison, William, Isabella, and Brody Lohse.