Corky Lauritsen

Laury Stuart “Corky” Lauritsen, of Granite Falls (formerly of rural Maynard), who once served as a helicopter door gunner over the jungles of Vietnam, died on December 15, 2025. Bev, his wife of 54 years, held his hand as he passed away at St. Cloud Hospital at the age of 76. He fought a long battle with cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo, with a prayer service to begin at 6:45 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

Born January 3, 1949, in Montevideo, Minnesota, to Fred and Hazel (Solberg) Lauritsen, Corky grew up on a dairy farm near Wegdahl. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo, where he was a lifelong member. He graduated in Montevideo Senior High School class of 1967, Monte’s Finest!

Corky answered his country’s call to serve in the Army in 1969. On assignment in Vietnam, he saw a Huey flying overhead one day and instantly knew he needed to fly. He served the rest of his time with the 134th Assault Helicopter Company. In late 1970, he nearly lost his life when an enemy mortar exploded next to him, sending shrapnel through his body. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a testament to his sacrifice. His military service changed him. His identity as a proud Vietnam Veteran grew with quiet dignity, particularly in his later years.

Just weeks after returning, he met the love of his life, Beverly (Petersen), in a meeting that was quintessentially Corky—he asked Bev for a lick of her ice cream in Montevideo, a moment that would lead to their wedding in 1971.

Fatherhood was Corky’s proudest achievement. He and Bev raised four sons: Josh, Ben, Logan, and Caleb. Each was greeted as his “favorite,” in a running joke that also included all nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and grandchildren.

Corky built a life defined by hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. He wore many hats—farmer, general contractor, and antique dealer—always looking to make a fair deal.

They purchased a farm in rural Maynard in 1976 and rebuilt the small 2-bedroom house into a large home where they raised a family and lived for five decades. He spent his final three years in Granite Falls.

He enjoyed creating a museum of his many collections: antique tractors and gas engines, miniature engines, advertising memorabilia, lightning rod balls, weather vanes, clocks, coins, Titanic memorabilia, old cast iron toys along with toy steam shovels and tractors and model trains. Each piece was a connection to the past and a reflection of his appreciation for craftsmanship and history. Other hobbies included woodworking, stock car racing, bowling, cards, dice, gaming, traveling, and classic cars. He was not known for his patience, yet could spend hours working out tiny details while tinkering on projects in “Grandpa’s Workshop.” He also loved his animals and always had several family pets.

Though not always outspoken about his faith, he lived it through acts of service. He served on the board of Salem Lutheran. He was a founding member of the Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association, serving as its first president. Corky also served on the board of Chippewa County Historical Society and the Milwaukee Road Heritage Center.

Corky is survived by Bev and his sons: Joshua (April) Lauritsen of Breckenridge, Benjamen (Rosemarie) Lauritsen of Maynard, Logan Lauritsen (Justin Peterson) of Winthrop, and Caleb (Blake) Lauritsen-Norby of Lanesboro; four grandchildren, Emmaree, Ethan, Elsie, and Claudia; his brothers Dr. Frederick Lauritsen of Cheney, WA, and Sheldon Lauritsen of Carrollton, TX; several in-laws, nieces and nephews, and his beloved feline companion, Butt’nFace.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his parents-in-law William and Viola Petersen, two brothers: Gary Lauritsen and Dr. Eugene Lauritsen; two sisters: Priscilla Lauritsen and Linda Gort; two sisters-in-law: Yolanda Lauritsen and Dr. Catherine Lauritsen; two brothers-in-law: Clarence Klenke and Bob Petersen; and three nephews Carl and Eric Lauritsen and Delton Petersen.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo, with a prayer service to begin at 6:45 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

He filled every moment with conversation and activity. He walked through life with a twinkle in his eye, a smirk on his face, keen to share his quirky humor. Corky would want to be remembered simply: as a “Good Guy to Know” and a father who loved his boys.