Lewis Laub

Lewis Edward “Louie” Laub, 90, of Grand Junction, passed away on Nov. 28 at Regency Park in Jefferson.

Louie was born Feb. 26, 1930, in rural Boone County to Harry and Hilda (Osterman) Laub. He went to school in Grand Junction until sixth grade when his family moved to Rippey and he graduated from Rippey High School in 1948. 

Louie joined the Air Force and was sent to Lackland AFB, San Antonio, for basic training in the fall of 1951.

On Dec. 26, 1951, Louie married the love of his life, Joyce Challands, at the Perry Methodist Church.

Louie went on to serve in Korea for a year, and then upon returning stateside, at McChord AFB, Tacoma, Wash. He was discharged in April of 1955. 

The couple returned to the area in 1955 and were blessed with two children, Susan and Mitch. Louie worked at various trades throughout his life, including eight years as a mechanic at the Ford garage in Perry/Rippey. But it would be a few more years before he would open up his own shop. 

Louie would enjoy many vacations with his family out West, in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. They became “snow birds” traveling to Texas for over 20 years to escape the Iowa cold. He never lost his love of aviation; he did volunteer work with the Confederate Air Force Museum in Harlingen, Texas, and built a Piper Cub from scratch with his club buddies.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Grand Junction, serving on various committees and occasional greeter on Sunday morning. He volunteered with the Grand Junction Fire and Rescue Unit for several years. 

He was hard working, he loved to garden and had a soft spot for animals. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his love of polka music and the special place in his heart for his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Russell Laub; nephews Michael Dean Laub and Dennis Jon McDowell; his in-laws, George and Anna Challands; sister-in-law Janice McDowell and her husband JD.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce; daughter Susan Holz (Mark), of Aurora, Colo.; and son Mitch Laub, of Mitchellville. Grandchildren include Sarah Elizabeth Goldsmith (Ben), of Fort Collins, Colo.; Katherine Lea Carroll (Aaron), of Omaha; and Christopher Wayne Subbert, of Glidden. Great-grandchildren include Emma Carroll, of Omaha, and Carter Goldsmith, of Fort Collins. Four nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Services with military rites for Lewis will be held at a later date at the Rippey Cemetery. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements. 

Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction, Fire and Rescue Unit in Grand Junction, and also to Hastings Funeral Home, Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.