John Andrew Lauritzen

1927 - 2010

John was born on March 10, 1927, to Johannes and Johannah Lauritzen and passed away on November 1, 2010, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by his loving family.
John was born and raised in Petaluma and spent the last 21 years in Kelseyville, CA, in the Clear Lake area of California. He retired from Mare Island Naval Shipyard August 3, 1983 after a long 40 year career as a Machinist, Estimator, Shop Superintendent and working on the top secret nuclear submarines. He started Working at Mare Island at the age of 16 where he completed school and a Machinist Apprenticeship.
John enlisted in the Navy in 1945, during World War II, and was honorably discharged, Engineman D Third Class on August 20th, 1951.
John enjoyed tinkering in his well appointed shop, making machined parts, rebuilding engines and hydraulic systems for tractors, cars, farm machinery, Barbara's antique carriages and old phonograph parts as well as many unusual parts for many people. He loved working on engines, antique cars and tractors and loved using his tractors and old rebuilt equipment to plant and harvest hay where he spent many enjoyable hours. He was known as having the best hay you could buy in Lake County.
John also enjoyed many hours watching the horsemen of Lake County use the arena and facility for their many and varied events. He especially liked the potlucks. He never charged the horsemen any money for the use of the facility.
John is survived by his companion, friend and partner of 20 years, Barbara Kroboth; his daughters, Lisa (Bill) Wilson, of Meridian, ID, and Launa (Kevin) Atkinson, of Placerville, CA; son, Curt Lauritzen, of Sonoma, CA; four grandchildren, Jake, Zach, Kacie and Josh; and his friend Barbara's three children, Rhonda (Allen) Lepori of Cotati, CA, Coesett (Wick) Fife, of Selah, WA, and Cordell (Nancy) Kroboth, of Lakeport, CA; and Barbara's four grandchildren, Whitney, Steven, Erin and Cassandra.
He will be greatly missed and remembered as a good, honest, kind, and generous man who loved to tease in his own gruff but loving way. If he wasn't teasing you he didn't like you!
Friends and family are invited to a graveside service. It will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 11 a.m., Cypress Hill Memorial Park, in Petaluma.
Friends and family are also invited to a Celebration of John's Life on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., at Kelseyville Senior Center, 5245, 3rd street, Kelseyville, CA, (The old Kelseyville post office.) Food and drinks will be served so all can enjoy his love of food.
Please share your memories by signing the guest book.