Richard M. "Dick" Laughlin, age 81, of Perham, MN, died Thursday, January 3, 2008, at MeritCare North, Fargo, ND. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 7, 2008, beginning at 11:00 am at St. Henry's Catholic Church, Perham, with Father Joe Herzing as the celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 6, at Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm and one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home.
Richard was born February 4, 1926, in Owatonna, MN, to John P. and Veronica (Fisher) Laughlin. He was married to Elizabeth Guck on September 18, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in rural Perham, MN. He served in the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Willard Keith and was discharged in 1946. Dick was employed at Perham Co-op Oil-FPA, Midland, and Land O' Lakes Feeds. He was a member of the VFW Post 4020, a long time member of the Perham Fire Department, and the Perham Sportsman's Club. Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and going to auctions. He was a current resident of the Perham Memorial Nursing Home.
Casketbearers are John Curtis, Greg Curtis, Bryan Maijala, Billy Maijala, Phillip Fritchman, and Steven Branby. Honorary casketbearers are the grandchildren, Gina Rickert, Janelle Wilson, Andrea Darsow, Erin Swyter, Jon Laughlin, Krista Fritchman, Anne Maijala, Katie Branby, Matthew Laughlin, and Isaac Laughlin, and the great grandchildren, Rose and Grace Curtis, and Caleb Wilson.
Dick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth, Perham, MN; sons, Bob (Karen) Laughlin, Perham, MN; and Ron (Laurie) Laughlin, Bluffton, MN; daughters, Pat (John) Curtis, Minneapolis, MN; Ann (Craig) Branby, Perham, MN; Diane (Ron) Fritchman, Perham, MN; and Connie (Bob) Maijala, Perham, MN; fifteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a brother, Jack Laughlin, Cold Springs, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
Proceeding Dick in death are his parents; infant daughter, Susan; brother, Thomas; and sister, Ruth Klein.