Laabs, Nina (Ewald)

Nina (Ewald) Laabs, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2012 of cancer at age 86 in Beloit. She was born on January 22, 1926, on the family farm, to Eugene and Tressie Ewald, Waupaca, Wisc. Graduating from the 8th grade in the one room country school, she went on to work at Cohen’s Egg Warehouse and Zwickers Knitting Mill, in Waupaca. She married the love of her life, Gordon Laabs on June 8, 1946 in Waupaca. They moved to Beloit, Wisc. in 1948 and were blessed with two children and 64 1/2 years of marriage. Gordon preceded her in death on Feb. 23, 2011. Nina was a stay at home mother, raising their two children, and she worked for many years as a child care giver to many small children of working mothers, retiring in 1983 when Gordon retired from his job and they enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. Her hobbies were sewing, knitting, crocheting and working crossword puzzles, and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Nina, Gordon and family were members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beloit. She is survived by: daughter, Sharon (Loren) Vander Kooi, Clinton, Wisc.; son, Richard (Celeste) Laabs – Portage, Wisc.; four grandsons: Mark (Emelda) Vander Kooi – Beloit, Wisc.; Scott (Jen) Vander Kooi – Janesville, Wisc.; Randy (Kristen) Vander Kooi – Janesville, Wisc.; Erich (Kimberly) Laabs – Kaukuana, Wisc.; ten great grandchildren: Hailey, Brianna, Kyle, Alanis, Allison, Gemma, Reese, Drake, Ruby and James. Also, sisters-in-law Doris Ewald – Waupaca, Wisc.; Alice Yenter – Tomahawk, Wisc.; Mary Ellen Laabs, Wild Rose, Wisc.; Mary Jane Laabs – Wautoma, Wisc. and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Eugene and Tressie Ewald; mother and father-in-law Harry and Effie Laabs; brothers: Herman, Loyal, Russell and Marlyn; sisters: Ruth Wilson, Evelyn Hansen, Vonnie Wanta; one grandson, Ahren Laabs; brother and sisters-in-law. Services will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beloit, with visitation at the church from 12:00 noon to the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Erik Jelinik officiated. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Eastlawn Cemetery, Beloit. Rosman, Uehling, Kinzer Funeral Home and cremation Service is assisting the family. Nina was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Please send online condolences to rukfuneralhome.com