Bernard Laing

Bernard L. "Bernie" Laing, age 79 of Freeport, died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Botz officiating and Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB concelebrating. Entombment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Freeport Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and Goldenaires Senior Citizens at 6 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.

Bernard Leo Laing was born April 2, 1930 in Freeport, Minnesota to Bernard J. "Ben" and Olive (Theisen) Laing. He served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957. On June 6, 1959 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Rohe at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. Bernie was co-owner of Laing's Food Store in Freeport which he sold in 1978. He was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 43 years, retiring in 1993. Bernie has been a lifelong resident of Freeport, being very active in the church and the community.Bernie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Knights of Columbus, Council #3628, Catholic Order of Foresters, and a charter member of the Freeport Lions Club. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and golf. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Laing of Freeport; children, Denise (Jim) Blommel of Sartell, Michelle (Dan) Cooley of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Bob (Pam) Laing of Freeport, Carla (Dean) Schiffler of Lakeville, Pat (Mary) Laing of Lakeville, Kristie (Randy) Curtiss of Blaine, and Leslie (Matt) Maas of Sartell; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother, Fritz (Shirley) Laing of Freeport; and sisters, Dorothy Roman of Minneapolis, Harriet (Henry) Cash of St. Cloud, and Ruth (Dick) Klis of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Robert Laing; granddaughter, Erika Laing; and brother-in-law, Dick Roman.

Serving as casket bearers will be Chris Cooley, Jamie Blommel, Matt Schiffler, Matt Maas, Jim Blommel, Dan Cooley, Dean Schiffler, and Randy Curtiss. Cross bearer will be Jonathan Laing and scripture bearer will be Ryan Delmonico. Honorary bearers will be Phil Osendorf, Mike Schlicht, Jerry Dobmeier, Joe Schultzetenberg, and members of Freeport Lions Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Maryknoll Missions.