Edward Laulainen

1937 - 2025

Edward A. Laulainen, 88, of Longview passed away on September 21, 2025, at PeaceHealth Richard Nau Hospice House.

He was born June 19, 1937, in Longview, to Oscar William and Bertis (Wiggins) Laulainen. He was a lifelong resident of the Longview/Kelso area.

Ed attended R.A. Long with the class of 1956 and served in the Air Force from 1954-1958. He came back to Longview and attended Lower Columbia College where he played football and then transferred to Eastern Washington University to extend his college football career. He graduated from EWU in 1962 with a degree in education.

He married Beverly Bain in Kelso on August 15, 1964. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Together they had two children, Susan Anne and Edward William.

Ed began teaching and coaching at Kelso High School in 1964. He coached wrestling and baseball; however, his passion was found on Schroeder Field coaching 32 years of Hilander Football; the last 25 years as head coach. During his coaching tenure, he went 179-68-2 winning 77% of his games. He led the Hilanders to their only state championship in 1983. Ed retired after the 1995 season and won 15 of the last 20 games he coached. On August 31, 2012, the stadium at Kelso High School was named the Ed Laulainen Stadium in his honor.

Ed has been recognized with inductions into the R.A. Long High School, Lower Columbia College, Washington State Football Coaches, WIAA, and Kelso High School Halls of Fame. He founded Kelso Youth Football in 1973 to ensure that athletes would grow in character and skill. He also served over 40 years on the Washington State Coaches Association Executive Board and 32 years as the Coach's liaison to the WIAA Executive Board.

Ed is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bev at home; a daughter, Susan of Longview; a son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Kristin of Longview; a grandson, Jack of Longview; a grandson, Brady of Longview with great grandchildren, James and Violet; a granddaughter Quinn and her husband, Joshua of Liberty Lake, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: DTQ (Downtown Quarterbacks), PO Box 624, Kelso, WA 98626. This will fund a scholarship in Coach Ed's name.

A private burial will be attended by immediate family only at Longview Memorial Park.

A celebration of life will be held at Kelso High School gymnasium at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. The community is welcome, and we'd like to send Coach Ed off in true Kelso style – wear your best Hilander gear to his post-game celebration!

Our family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff at PeaceHealth Richard Nau Hospice House. There are real angels on this earth named: Deb, Nathan, Krista, Cindy, Pam, Megan, Robin and Jacinda.