Earl W. Laatsch

Earl W. Laatsch

Age 81, of Appleton, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Hospital after a courageous 18-year battle with cancer.

Earl was born March 18, 1926, in Milwaukee, the son of William A. and Olga W. (Jaeger) Laatsch. He grew up in Milwaukee, and was a graduate of North Division High School, class of 1944. Earl served in the United States Army Air Corps from January 1945 until February 1947, having been stationed in Hawaii. On September 27, 1952, he was united in marriage to Ruth Petersen. Prior to his retirement in October of 1986, Earl was operations manager for Honeywell Corporation, where he worked for 36 years.
The Laatschs were members of Grace Lutheran Church, and more recently Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, both in Appleton. Earl and Ruth participated in many church activities through the years. He enjoyed traveling to visit his children, going up North, fishing, working in his yard and fixing and repairing things, and eating a good meal. His greatest pleasure in life came from watching his children grow up. His family meant everything to him, and he meant everything to them.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ruth; three children, Jeffrey Laatsch and Gregory (Kathy) Laatsch, of Appleton, and Victoria (Darrin) Labensky, Tomah; and a sister-in-law, Isabel Laatsch. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lester Laatsch.
Funeral services for Earl will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at OUR SAVIOUR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA, 3009 North Meade Street, with Rev. Dennis Ellisen officiating. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday until the time of services directly at the church. A private family committal service will be Wednesday at the Star of Hope Chapel Mausoleum of Appleton Highland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 3311 South Packerland Drive, DePere, 54115.

Earl’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Dirk Fisher and his staff, Dr. Robert Geller, Dr. Timothy Goggins and his staff, Dr. Thomas
Schelble, and the nursing staffs for the 4 South and Subacute Units at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfargo.com