Helerian Laing

Helerian "Larry" Laing, age 87 of Freeport, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 14 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Botz, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. concelebrating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Freeport. Goldenaires Senior Citizens and the St. Joseph's Men's Society will pray at 4 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. and parish prayers at 8 p.m. Sunday evening at the church.

Helerian "Larry" Laing was born April 26, 1923 in Freeport, Minnesota to Herman J. and Catherine (Kleve) Laing. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was wounded in combat in 1945. On September 19, 1949 he was united in marriage to Marie Elizabeth Schulzetenberg at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Larry worked with his father, Herman Laing, at the Corner Store, Inc. in Freeport, a grocery, hardware, and general store, until taking it over as owner and operator. He owned and operated the Corner Store for 40 years before retiring in 1988. This was the general store that Garrison Keillor visited and wrote about in Prairie Home Companion. He also operated the Freeport Ambulance Service and owned and operated the Freeport Funeral Home for many years. Larry served on the Freeport Volunteer Fire Department until retiring. He lived in Freeport most of his life until moving to Country Villa Assisted Living in Sartell in 2005 to be near his daughter, and then to the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud in July of 2008.Larry was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends most of all! He liked to go fishing, enjoyed fish frys with his friends, golfing, watching all sports and wood carving when he wasn't diligently working or helping others. He truly had a heart of gold and would work endless hours to be sure his customers had what they needed; all items were delivered, serviced and repaired. He was a very giving, caring, devoted, loving father, grandfather and friend. He was a man of endearing faith, unconditional love and selfless acts of kindness and compassion for others.Larry was a member of the St. Joseph's Men's Society, Freeport Commercial Club, and the American Legion Post 101 of Melrose. He also served as a church collection counter for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport for many years.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marie Laing of Sartell, formerly of Freeport; children, Lois (Jamie Rask) Tamm of Sartell and Jim (Becky) Laing of Burnsville; five grandchildren, Brandon and Brittany Tamm of Plymouth, Kieran Tamm of Sartell, and Austin and Brooke Laing of Burnsville; sister, Marcella "Sally" Dwyer of Eden Prairie; brothers, Norbert (Muriel) Laing of Bloomington, Harold Laing of Osseo; and sister-in-law, Beverly Laing of Florida.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Laing; sister-in-law, Betty Laing; and brother-in-law, Henry "Hank" Dwyer.Special thanks to the wonderful staff of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, Building 50, First Floor, St. Cloud; Country Villa Staff of Sartell, the St. Cloud Hospital Staff and Amy of Comfort Keepers for their kind and loving care over the past few years.

Serving as casket bearers will be Brandon Tamm, Kieran Tamm, Gary Meyer, Chick Molitor, Art Van Heel, and Kevin Laing. Cross bearer will be Brooke Laing, scripture bearer will be Brittany Tamm, and pall bearer will be Austin Laing. Gift bearers will be Amy Hengel and Lee Meyer. Readers will be Karen Molitor and Nancy Jackson. Petitions will be read by Ruth Hartman and the eulogy by Becky Laing. Honorary bearers will be the St. Joseph's Men's Society.