Donald E. Lauritzen

Pocatello - Donald Eugene Lauritzen, 87, former longtime resident and businessman in Victor, Idaho, passed away Monday, February 25, 2008 at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, following an illness.

He was born February 25, 1921 in Victor, Idaho, a son of John Delos and Carrie Larsen Lauritzen. He attended schools in Victor where he graduated from high school. He then attended BYU in Provo, Utah for a year. He went to work in the mines in Northern Nevada for a short time and then the Aircraft Plant in San Diego, California. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in San Diego, and served in the Pacific during World War II including the invasions of Guadacanal and Iwo Jima. After his release, from the service following the war, he returned to Victor, Idaho. On February 3, 1946, he married Faye Frandsen in Victor. Their marraige was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. He worked for the Nelson & Ricks Cheese Factory and also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the construction of the Palisades Dam. He trapped fished and hunted all over the Teton Valley. He loved the Teton Valley area and living at the base of the majestic Tetons. He owned the Lauritzen General Mercantile Grocery Store in Victor for many years and also served on the Victor City Council and the Teton County Draft Board. After retirement, he and Faye spent many winters in Overton, Nevada and the summers in Victor. He was an active member of the L.D.S. Church and served in various callings. While living in Overton, Nevada, he and Faye served in the Las Vegas Temple. He also enjoyed bowling and square dancing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include: four daughters, Sharon (Mark) Shropshire, Kalispell, Montana; Linda (Jay) Sperry, Pocatello, Idaho; Sandra (Steven) Andrew, Inkom, Idaho; Janice (Jim) Voyles, Idaho Falls, Idaho; a brother, Boyd Lauritzen and (Maurice Tanira), Elko, Nevada; two sisters, Elva (Don) Ard, Rigby, Idaho; Enid (William) Gardner, Delta, Utah; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 29, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Victor L.D.S. Church with Bishop David Andersen, of the Pocatello Century Ward officiating and Bishop Craig Sherman, of the Victor First Ward presiding. The family will receive friends on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Victor Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by the M.A. Hulet American Legion Post #95. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho. Online condolences may be sent to the Lauritzen family at www.manningwheatleyfuneralchapel.com