Milan R. Laudon
Thursday, August 28, 1919
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Age:
97 years old
Visitation
Date: Wednesday September 21, 2016
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Wednesday September 21, 2016
Time: 11:00 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Military Honors
Military honors will be provided by Rochester American Legion Post 92 at the graveside.
Thursday, August 28, 1919
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Age:
97 years old
Thursday, August 28, 1919
Date of Death:
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Age:
97 years old
Milan R. Laudon
Milan Robert Laudon, 97, of Rochester died Thursday September 15th at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home in Rochester where he had resided for 2 months. Milan was born to Anna (Franzen) and Arthur Laudon on August 28, 1919 in Elmira Township in rural Olmsted County. He was raised on a farm in Pleasant Grove Township. He attended school through 8th grade, when he left school to help on the family farm. He entered the U.S. Army on March 25, 1941 at Fort Snelling. He served as a sergeant in the 6th Signal Corp of the 6th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. As a lineman in telephone communications his group was responsible for communication from Division Headquarters out to the forward frontline combat positions. He served his country honorably over 4 years in the jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines. He and his fellow soldiers of the Sixth Army were preparing for the first phase of the invasion of the Japanese mainland when Japan’s surrender ended the war. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on November 9th, 1945.
Milan married Cecelia Eickhoff on June 25, 1943 in Los Angeles while on Army leave. After the war they resided in Rochester and had two sons, Dale and Michael. Cecelia died of leukemia in February of 1960. He married Mary Befort on December 2, 1961 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rochester. Together they had two sons, Dennis and Steven. Mary died of cancer in November of 1993.
After returning from World War II Milan initially worked in the construction industry and for the City of Rochester. Milan spent most of his working life as a proud IBM employee. He began working for IBM Rochester in May of 1957, less than one year after IBM operations began in Rochester. After training at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis he worked in electrical maintenance at IBM for 28 years. Milan retired in June of 1985.
Milan was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester for over 60 years. He was also a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the American Legion. Milan enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and a cold beer. In his later years he enjoyed his morning breakfast and bull sessions with his friends at Hy-Vee North.
Milan is survived by sons: Dale (Kim) of Ham Lake MN, Dennis (Laura) of Rochester, and Steve of Wautoma WI. Four granddaughters, four grandsons, four great-grandchildren, and a brother, Robert, of St. Charles also survive him. He was preceded in death by wives Cecelia (1960) and Mary (1993), son Michael (2011) and siblings: Kenneth, Clarence, Norman, and Marguerite Lawrence.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday September 21, 2016 at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 11AM with Father Charlie Collins officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92 of Rochester.
Memorials are preferred to St. Pius X Catholic Church of Rochester.
Condolences
The family of Milan R. Laudon has received the following condolences.
I had the privilege of working at IBM Rochester as an electrical engineer for 22 years while Milan was there. Milan called on me from time to time when a machine had a puzzling problem. Together, we would try to figure it out and fix the trouble. We became good friends. Milan told me about some of his favorite fishing spots, and one that he called the Red Bridge became a special fishing hole for my family. We went there on the Mississippi River backwaters on many weekends, and would catch sunfish and crappies. Sometimes, we hooked a black bass or a northern pike.
After I moved to Red Lodge, Montana, Milan and I occasionally remembered old times through phone conversations. I did manage to get back to Rochester a few times and enjoyed coffee at the Hy-Vee store with him. I was always glad to hear his voice on the phone. Milan was easy to work with, and I consider myself fortunate to have worked with him.
-Jerry
Steve, Denny and Dale,
We are saddened to hear of your Dad's death. So many memories there through the years we were in the neighborhood. One comes to mind, your Dad and Jan struggled to get the freezer in the basement up on blocks during the flood to save it only to see it floating near the ceiling later. After you moved we remember riding bikes over to spend time with him and Mary. Spending the week up at Lake Edward with them, 4 boys severely sun burning the tops of their ears. Labor Day we again went up north to Nest Lake.
But just the daily life of seeing each other in the neighborhood and talking are the good memories.
You are in our hearts,
In deepest sympathy,
Joe & Jan
I express my sympathy in the loss of your father. We lived next to your family at 434 Tenth Street NW. Your mom and dad were special to me. I wanted to come to the mass but I am gone all that day. Prayers will be said for all of the family.
Dennis and family: So sorry to learn of the loss of Mr. Laudon and of the passing of another member of the 'Greatest Generation'. He sounds like he was a wonderful man and the kind of guy that was an asset to society and the pride of his family. I wish you sympathy and peace during this difficult time. Bruce Fossum
Our deepest condolences to your family during this time of loss and sadness. Our prayers are with you as you honor and celebrate Milan's life. Katherine, Mary, & Todd Kelsey
Milan & Mary Laudon--- great friends. Milan & Mary are missed by Judy & Bob Adams
friends from the Northrup area. I enjoyed all of the conversations with Mary & Milan.
They raised some great children. Dennis & Steve are what I consider very close friends.
It saddens me that I probably will not be able to make the service to see family and friends.
Milan will be greatly missed by me Bob Adams. Milan---a great, likeable person.
Steve---Dennis and all family members--- MILAN will be in a great place. God Bless Milan and family
Bob & Judy Adams and family----Jay -- Todd---- and Kevin Adams
Dennis, Laurie, and family, our prayers are with you. Andy