Thomas Harold Laken

Thomas Harold Laken, Sr. passed away on December 23, 2005 at the age of 89 at Watkins Manor in Winona, Minnesota. He was a long-time resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was born on June 2, 1916 to Truls Kristian Laken and Astrid Linnea (Hultenius) Laken. He graduated from Bradford High School, where he earned the city tennis championship. He was a self-taught chemist through International Correspondence Schools in analytical and quantitative chemistry. He was employed at Frost Company of Kenosha Wisconsin during World War II, followed by Autolite of Woodstock, Illinois, and Parker Pen of Janesville, Wisconsin. He founded Finishing & Plating Service of Kenosha from which he retired in 1981. He married Mary Jane (Augustine) on June 5, 1940; she preceded him in death in 1984. Together they had six children, including Roger Alan, who died in 1980. Their surviving children are Thomas Harold, Jr (Nancy); Bruce Eric, (Karen) both of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Keith John (Virginia)of Winona, Minnesota; Janet (Ronald) Hernandez of Phoenix, Arizona; and Lorraine (Richard)Bouchard of Houston, Texas. Thomas resided in Kenosha until 1990, after which he moved to Winona, Minnesota. He was active in the Lions and Elks Clubs, and the Kenosha Youth Foundation, where he competed in badminton. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and supported numerous conservation organizations. He was an antique car buff and restored several cars which he loved to drive around town. He traveled extensively. In Winona, he enjoyed his many friends at the YMCA and the Senior Friendship Center, but especially his close friend "Toots" Marie Berg of Wabasha. Thomas is preceded in death by step-brothers George and Leroy, and step-sisters Mabel, Thora Unterberg, Helene Johns and Kirsten Hultenius. He is survived by 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Memorial is scheduled for Friday January 6th 2006 at 10:00 A.M. at Watkins Manor Great Hall, Winona MN, and Saturday, January 7th, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral home Kenosha Wisconsin. Interment will be at Sunset Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to the YMCA of Kenosha, Kenosha Lions Foundation or Winona Area Hospice. His family thanks you for your loving thoughts. Hoff Funeral & Cremation Services of Goodview is facilitating with the arrangements.