Lauritsen, John S. (Died)

Lauritsen, John S. John S. Lauritsen, of Summerville, SC died of natural causes on May 12, 2011 at the Village at Summerville, 8 days prior to his 96th birthday. He was born May 20, 1915 in Glencoe, IL, the son of the late Sofus Lauritsen and the late Christine M. Lauritsen. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Patricia A. Lauritsen, who passed away in February of 2011. He is survived by sons Michael J. Lauritsen (Cynthia) of St. Augustine, FL and John R. Lauritsen of Summerville. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Stanley D. Lauritsen and by sisters Edith Cadenhead and Evelyn Briddle. As the son of Danish immigrants, John learned a strong work ethic growing up in rural northern Illinois where he won awards for several of his live-stock and poultry projects. This work ethic continued through college, where he worked his way through school during the great depression, graduating from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. John and family resided in Elkhart, IN and Northbrook, IL during his working years, which included 29 years of employment with the Eugene Dietzgen Company. After retirement, he and his wife moved to Hendersonville, NC where they lived for 16 years. In Hendersonville, John enjoyed hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and was an active volunteer with several groups including Meals on Wheels. In 2006 they moved to the Village at Summerville retirement community. Loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, John will be dearly missed by family and friends. A memorial service at the chapel of the Village at Summerville will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of choice. Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st N. Street, Summerville, SC 29483.