Kenneth Laug

The day before we left for our vacation to Disney World, March 11, the Laug family was told that Grandpa had multiple cancerous brain tumors. He passed away on March 28, 2009 at his Centennial Farm home where he was born, raised, and lived most of his 81 years.

Grandpa worked all of his life farming and then splitting wood for Scott's Dad and Chum. Grandpa was not only a hard worker, he was meticulous. He took great pride in whatever work he was doing and always did the job better than anyone could have asked. He kept the Laug homestead so beautifully manicured that it was photographed often (aerial views) and even made the cover of a dairy magazine. He had famously strong, large working man hands (his daughter Lori even wrote a beautiful poem about them). He loved to work, watch sports, hunt, golf, drive John Deere tractors, build birdhouses, and work. He was a "man of the Earth." He was an icon.

Scott and Grandpa had a very special relationship, in fact it was more like a friendship. While Grandpa split wood out at the tree farm Scott would have to dump wood and chips from the days' work and they often found themselves in conversation. Sometimes about what work that had to be done or the weather, sometimes about sports (Lions or Tigers) and sometimes Grandpa was just giving Scott a hard time. Scott loved talking to him and arguing with him about sports. Grandpa told Scott stories about when he was younger, like when he went to New York.

Their relationship was so obviously special to everyone. On the day he died, Grandma said to Scott, "You were the apple of his eye." Boy was she right. Scott and Grandpa's friendship is truly irreplacable.


Scott and Grandpa in conversation while Ethan looks on. (Christmas 2007)













Grandma and Grandpa, Christmas 2007.














Four generations of Laug men: Grandpa, Mike, Scott and Ethan. Grandma gave Grandpa a surprise with the Centennial Farm recognition sign. (July 2007)