A Memorial Service for Paul will be held at the UW-Whitewater Connor University Center in the Old Main Ballroom on October 25th, at 11:00 am.
Connor University Center:
228 Wyman Mall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Campus Map:
http://www.uww.edu/campus/uwwmap.pdf
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy or Fairhaven Senior Services.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Paul Lauritzen.
This site was created in hopes of gathering stories and memories of Paul. We would like to create a book to compile these stories and document the impact Paul had on the many people's lives he influenced. We all know Paul loved to pull pranks, so if you were an accomplice or the victim of one of these pranks please do share. Please visit the Stories tab to contribute.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMy love to Lois and Jeff.
Thanks for your kindness and generosity ❤️
Marc
I have many fond memories with them including playing tennis, basketball, working at the woods, and fishing just to name a few.
He has left a beautiful legacy behind him with all the people he had an impact on in his life..
There are many themes across these tributes and in talking with those who knew Paul. He was a mentor, highly skilled athlete and coach, cared so much for the youth in our community, was a trickster, a tall-strong man, cerebral, inclusive in the sense of equity for all. Paul offered his skills and resources out and those who accepted had avenues opened to experience things they never would have without him.
Karen and I have been friends throughout our lifetime and I consider Paul and "Mom" my family. Paul was always someone I looked up to literally and he let me know how short I was on a continual basis -"Yes, among giants" I would say. Paul had this skill to know the amount of pressure/challenge to offer out. I could take a pretty good amount and offered it back as I grew older. We had fun with our exchanges, always leaving with a smile.
Paul helped me to hone my skills in basketball, tennis, ping pong, stilt walking, apple picking, cider press cranking, weed pulling, planting, ice cream eating, trampoline jumping, trick playing, road biking, and the list goes on.
My favorite story was when Lois was "at her end" on a hot day with no air conditioner. Paul must not have thought they needed it and Lois made a statement that she would not return until she got cool air. She, Karen and I headed out and boy did we have fun! Let the shopping begin. It started with matching outfits for Karen and I and didn't end there. With every fun adventure we had we started to say, "Thanks Paul!" Paul had no idea what was going on when we came back with our outfits on, giving him a kiss on his cheek with a "Thanks Paul". Lois got her air that day and we continue to say, "Thanks Paul" with a twinkle in our eye many, many years later. I don't know that Paul ever knew the extent of our excursion that day!
"Thanks Paul"! Love you. Andrea
The Lauritzen family has always been very special to me and I can never thank them enough for the love they have shown me over the years. Paul and Lois will always have a special place in my heart for their kindness and generosity. Thank you Jeff for being my friend and brother.
Love, Marc Durette
My favorite prank was when I attended a CEC convention in DC with Dr. Lauritzen and some other faculty members. There was a little kerfuffle about the traffic on the Beltway and at one point when we were not moving, Dr. Lauritzen leaped out of the car and yelled "Help, I'm being kidnapped!" The kerfuffle turned to laughter in no time! Another was when he was called as a reference for my current job, he identified himself as my parole officer! He was not only an academic mentor, but a life mentor who taught us to laugh and enjoy! He will be missed.
Leave a Tribute
My love to Lois and Jeff.
Thanks for your kindness and generosity ❤️
Marc
I am so lucky to share memories of Paul with his wonderful wife Lois. We sometimes get to laughing so hard at his many antics and gags he would pull on one and all. He will always remain in my memory as an outstanding role model. Lucky for us his family keeps Paul's memories with us.
Swedish "sister"
We were sad to hear that Paul passed away. Our thoughts go to Lois and the children with families.
Paul was my "American brother" since 1957, when I was an AFS exchange student in the Lauritzen family in Rock Island. He was then already married to Lois and had moved out. My first memory of Paul is when he came to visit. Standing in the doorway he said: "Look, Agneta!" and then he "fell" straight forward and only just before he hit the floor, he put out his hands to prevent an accident.
Another memory, from 1978, is a visit with Paul's family in Whitewater. Paul had a wonderful way with our boys, then 10 and 7 years old. He even let them drive his tractor in his woods. Unfortunately, the tractor crashed into the garage door.
The passing of time is inevitable, but memories remain.