George Birch Laughlin, 85, of Glendive, Mont., died July 20, 2009, at the Glendive Medical Center.
His funeral will Friday, July 24, at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive.
George was born on Dec. 18, 1923, in Carrington, N.D., the son of Thomas Birch and Ethel Christina (Grotewold) Laughlin. George was raised and educated in the Carrington area. He enjoyed the times spent with his Grandfather Grotewold traveling to Minnesota in the summers. George spent one year in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Northern Minnesota in a forestry camp.
In 1941, George joined the North Dakota National Guard. In February he was inducted into active service and spent the next four years in the 164th Infantry, three of them in the Pacific Theater during World War II. George married Marilyn Aldrich on June 10, 1946, in Livingston, Mont. He worked REA construction from 1946 until 1957.
During that time George and Marilyn lived in many towns in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, including Billings, Ekalaka, Livingston and Phillipsburg. They moved to Glendive in 1957 where George worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. He retired from Western Area Power in 1986.
George enjoyed knowing and visiting with people; he especially enjoyed the time he spent helping others. He enjoyed his motor home and traveling and camping. He was a member of the Good Sam Club, Family Motor Coach Association, Zion Lutheran Church, The American Legion Club, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1125 and served on the Military Honor Guard in Glendive.
George is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Glendive; one son, Leo Laughlin of Glendive; two daughters, Carla Ann Long of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Roberta Laughlin Fink and her husband, Don, of Baker City; three grandchildren, Dawn and Jennifer Long and Jeremy Laughlin; one great-grandchild, Georgia Marie McGraff; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy Engberg; a brother, Thomas Jr.; and one son, Dennis, who died in 1965.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 22, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor