Omaha lost a native son on April 1, 2021. Known to everyone as Bud, George Lauritsen was the first-generation son of Danish immigrants. Born in Omaha on November 9, 1922, he was the youngest of six children and is preceded in death by his two brothers, Roland and Kenneth, and three sisters, Anna, Sylvia, and Laurita. Following graduation from North High in 1941, he worked as a lineman for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, until he joined the Navy in 1943. As a Naval Air Cadet, he was stationed in California, where he and his high-school sweetheart, Dona Guy, were married on March 3, 1944. Their journey took them to Oklahoma where Bud was a gunnery trainer, then on to Texas during the war. Their love story of 67 years lives on in the family they cherished and the many ways they impacted others through a wide array of professional and volunteer commitments.
Bud’s career with NWB Telephone Co. took him to South Dakota, New York, Alaska, and Washington in a variety of roles. He served most of his time in Omaha as an Engineer but had many treasured memories of his work in Alaska on the Barter Island where he planned the installation of the White Alice and Dew Line projects, which were the U.S. early detection defense and communication systems. His career later placed him as the President of the Omaha Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers, representing Nebraska and South Dakota. With Dona, they traveled throughout the middle states, engaged in projects to serve community needs, such as building wheel-chair accessible ramps to Snake River Falls near Valentine, making Mt. Rushmore accessible to the disabled, and developing “beeping balls” to enable blind children to play ball.
After retiring from NWB, he and Dona became agents for AFLAC Insurance. Now at liberty to travel more extensively, they enjoyed exploring much of Europe and visiting family in Denmark. A highlight was their travel to New Zealand to spend time with their “AFS daughter” and her family. Meg lived with the Lauritsen family and attended Benson High with daughter, Linda, as seniors in 1964-65. She maintained her close family contacts and always referred to Bud as “Dad”.
Bud was a 32nd degree Master Mason and was proud to have the distinction of receiving the Bronze Jordan Medal as the oldest living Mason in Nebraska. His commitment to service with the Shriners supported many fundraising events for the Shrine transportation fund. He was proud to be commissioned Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska and a loyal member of the Lutheran Church of the Master. One of his proudest distinctions was being named a Viking of Distinction at Omaha North High. George was recognized as a Viking of Distinction, not because of one achievement, but because he touched countless lives by his lifetime of service in so many capacities. This honor recognized his many contributions to the Omaha community, and beyond, and joins him with his wife, Dona, in that honored tradition.
The loving father of three daughters and one son, Bud loved music, dancing, wood carving beautiful birds, and socializing with everyone he met. It is often said there isn’t anyone he doesn’t know or have a close connection to as soon as they are introduced. He loved hunting, playing golf, and spending time with family. Although he never considered himself a performer,
he sang solos at two of his granddaughter’s weddings and would always join in songs from familiar show tunes and forties hits. Everyone who knew George knows you can count on him to do the right thing, and help whenever and wherever he could. George did what he thought was important for the common good.
Preceded in death by his son, Terry, and wife and siblings, he is survived by three daughters, Sandy Hutton (Richard) Omaha, Linda Pauley (Tom), Papillion, and Kathy Coufal (Bill), Omaha. And his eight grandchildren Shelly Brennan (Tim), Kim Hutton (Dacia), Allison Reinig (Drew), California; Kendra Coufal McDonald (Brian), Australia; Dayna Derichs (Bastian), Omaha; Erin Hanke (Brian), Omaha; Guy Lauritsen (Hollie), and Wendy Jones (Buck), Alaska; nine great-grandchildren Tyler, Kyle (Kylie) and Katelyn Brennan, Hope Hutton, Hunter, and Christian Reinig, California: Kaylee Lauritsen, Terry and Daniel Yerly (Jones), Alaska; and two great-great-grandchildren Lucas and Emmett Brennan, California.
Gramps holds a special place in the hearts of all his grandchildren. He has been a most beloved father and father-in-law to his daughters and their spouses, a man is who put his family first in all ways. Throughout this past year when isolated from everyone and all he cherished, he always said “there are better days ahead”. He is one of the greatest men of the ‘greatest generation. He now has his better days, dancing with Mom and living in our hearts forever.
Private graveside services will be April 12, with a celebration of life at a later date.
Please visit the CaringBridge website to message the family and for the celebration of life service details: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/georgebudlauritsen
Memorials to:
North High Vikings of Distinction Scholarship fund
Scholarship information:
Donor:
In Memory or honoring: George H. Lauritsen
Amount of Gift:
Make checks out to: Omaha North High School Foundation — reference Vikings of Distinction on the memo portion of check or complete the online payment information.
Online access to making donation. https://omahanorthhighschoolfoundation.com/donate
5/27/1931 – 4/12/2021
10/25/1959 – 4/7/2021
4/15/2018 – 3/31/2021
