MARQUETTE – Claude E. Lauscher, 84, of 306 Jonathan Carver Road, Marquette, entered eternal life Wednesday afternoon, September 20, 2006, at Marquette General Hospital, where he had been admitted earlier in the day.
Claude was born July 27, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of Joseph Robert and Emma Mathilda (Erickson) Lauscher and was raised in Milwaukee. He was a 1940 graduate of the Riverside High School, later working for the A.O. Smith Company as a draftsman. A veteran of World War II, he entered the US Army in 1944, serving with Company A 244 th Engineer Combat Battalion, and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of First Lieutenant. On his return from service, Claude enrolled at Michigan State University, receiving a degree in psychology. It was at MSU that he met the former Betty Dimke, and they were married September 9, 1947 in Wayne. Claude was employed as a counselor with the Michigan Department of Corrections at the Jackson facility for three years. In 1955, the couple relocated to Marquette where Claude served as Director of Treatment at the Marquette Branch Prison, a position he held for twenty-six years before retiring in 1977. In retirement, Claude enjoyed attending the Little League baseball games at Hurley Field, having coached the Shiras Hills Team in his younger years. Claude’s enthusiasm for the game and enjoyment in guiding the young was a lifelong passion and he is fondly remembered as the “guy you went to when you needed your mitt repaired, relaced, or oiled”. In his leisure, Claude was an avid reader, ardent football and baseball fan, and participated in league bowling. Claude also enjoyed learning about and repairing cars.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty; his children, Janet (Frank) Mihelich of Marquette, Jay (Carol) Lauscher of Rockton, IL, and Kerry Sue (Bruce) Matsutsuyu of Houston, TX; his grandchildren, Erin and Kevin Lauscher, and Jacob Kiyoshi Matsutsuyu; and nephews, Robert and William Liederbach of Indianapolis, IN. In addition to his parents, Claude was preceded in death by his sister, Lucille Liederbach.
Honoring Claude’s request, no services will be scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front Street, Marquette, MI 49855.
The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family.