Obituary: Russell Laurin

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Russell Laurin, age 87, a resident of Lake Linden, Michigan, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital located in Laurium, Michigan. Russ was born on May 24, 1936 in Laurium, Michigan to parents Henry and Ethel (Raade) Laurin.

              Russ graduated from Houghton High School with the class of 1954. After graduation he served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1956. He then attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business.

              Russ taught business studies for 30 years at the Lake Linden-Hubbell School and also coached. Russ’ coaching career spanned more than 50 years and included football, basketball, and track. But his passion was football. He was inducted into the Michigan Coach’s Hall of Fame in 1989 and the LLHHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

              Russ loved hunting, fishing, and spending time at his camp in Rice Lake. His hunting career included many trophy bucks. Starting in the late 60’s, he took many graduate students and friends on trips to Canada taking backpacks and canoes, trying to find a special fishing spot to catch speckled trout. There was always a contest as to who caught the most and biggest. In the later years, he traded the canoes in for a float plane ride.

              Until this past year, he enjoyed his daily “coffee clutch” with friends at Keweenaw Auto Body where they hashed out all the world’s problems.

              Russ is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ethel (Raade) Laurin and his brother Henry (Butch) Laurn and his sister Jean Easton.

              Rus is survived by his brothers Gerald of Greensboro, NC, and Michael (Margaret) Laurin of Swarts Creek, MI. He is also survived by extended family Ken and Debby Parker, Brad Parker, and Alicia Reed. He is also survived by a niece, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

              Per Russ’ wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Lake Linden Linebackers Club (601 Calumet St. Lake Linden, MI 49945) in Russ’ memory. Erickson-Crowley-Peterson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.