Bruce A. Laabs

Bruce A. Laabs, Sr., age 80, of Port Washington, Wis., passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Ellen’s Home, where he had resided the past few months.

We would like to send a thank you to the staff and caregivers of Ellen’s Home who made our time there extra special. The care and dedication was second to none and they were always willing to listen to our requests and understood compassion and dignity when dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

We gathered together Easter Sunday with close family and friends. Bruce had a lot of smiles to pass around, talking, telling stories and jokes. He always had words of wisdom to share.

Bruce was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 15, 1942.

He grew up on Pioneer Road in Mequon with his parents George and Virginia Dick Laabs and a big family. He graduated from Homestead High School and later was drafted to the armed forces and often commented that it was one of the best experiences of his life.

During the Vietnam War, Bruce proudly served in the Army with the rank of sergeant from 1964 to 1966.

Upon his return, he worked at Pioneer Container in Cedarburg for a few years and would often comment on how he enjoyed working there.

On July 3, 1970, Bruce married Donnamae Hansen of Port Washington, who he picked up hitchhiking on New Year’s Day. They continued to live and raise their family there.

For more than 38 years, Bruce was a tool and die maker for Simplicity Manufacturing in Port Washington until his retirement in 2004. He was an active member and former steward of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1430.

Family and faith were very important to Bruce. He had been a member of First Congregational Church in Port Washington and a former council member. He will be remembered as the founder of the church’s Faith Club.

Bruce enjoyed the outdoors, especially during summer, and was often seen around town walking his dog. Hunting, fishing, boating with family, canoeing the Milwaukee River and camping on the Wolf River on Catfish Bend were some of the highlights. He played the guitar, writing songs and sharing his gift.

Bruce was a member of Al-Anon and strived to help others.

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Donnamae; his daughter Love Lynn (Thomas) Laabs of Kingsford, Mich.; son Bruce (Amy Kowalke) Laabs Jr. of Fredonia; grandchildren Justin (Holly) Karrels and Amanda, Alyssa, Miranda and Skylar Laabs; great-grandchildren Raelynn and Harper; his sisters Phyllis Roundtree of Waldo, Christine Shaver of Fort Myers, Fla., Barbara (Pete) LaBudde of Richfield, Jules Laabs-Davis of Milwaukee and Jacqueline (Larry) Tursi of Tubac, Ariz.; his brother James Laabs of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; his sisters-in-law Jeanette Patasius, Lynda (the late Allen) Heider, Karla (Ed) Harvey and Bonnie (the late Michael “Doc”) Erickson; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Georgiana Hatzinger and infant Patricia Laabs, his brother James Bauer, brothers-in-law Donald Patasius, Ronald and his wife Audrey Patasius and Larry Hansen and his dear friends Scott Henzel and Ron Peot.

Funeral services for Bruce will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday May 6, 2023, at First Congregational Church, 131 N. Webster St., Port Washington. The Rev. Dr. Scott McLeod, pastor, will officiate. Visitation will take place from noon to 1:15 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to services.  Military honors will take place after services.

Memorials to the church are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family. Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.