John Laudel

John Francis Laudel passed away peacefully at his home in Trinidad, Colorado, on October 16, 2021, at the age of 94. John was born in Des Moines, IA on June 20, 1927. He graduated from Dowling High School, Des Moines, IA in 1944, and enlisted in the Navy in 1945, one day before his 18th birthday. John attended Drake University, Des Moines, IA where he received a BA in Law in 1949. He was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumnus and served as President of the Newman Club. In 1956, John married Janet Marturello and moved to Westminster, CO in 1962. Together they had ten beautiful children. John worked for Iowa National Mutual until retirement in 1990. In 2001, John moved to Trinidad, CO and took painting classes at the Jr. College at the age of 75. John volunteered much of his retirement years to his community, from Aurora’s Friends of Saint Andrews Soup Kitchen, to the Trinidad Welcome Center and served on the Board of the Sayre Senior Community Center.

Those who knew John, knew him best for his witty sense of humor, his love of playing cards, his story telling, painting, watching sports, fishing, solving crossword puzzles, telling jokes, breaking out in song, writing poems and spending time with his family and friends. John loved to sit on his back patio and look at Fisher’s Peak, watch the birds, say the rosary and give thanks to God. John was a man of great faith and devotion to the Catholic church. His knowledge, curiosity, good nature, quick wit, sense of humor, stories and words of wisdom will be greatly missed.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Isabel Laudel, his siblings, Mary Jane Resch and Thomas Laudel, his wife Janet Catherine Laudel, his son Michael Laudel, and his son-in-law James Kaufman.

John is survived by his children, Mary Laudel Gray (Tom), Jim Laudel (Sherri), Teresa Settergren (Randy), Dan Laudel (Carla), Bob Laudel, Tom Laudel, Bill Laudel (Lori), Kate Feinsod (David), and Julie Laudel Kaufman. He is also survived by his 15 grandchildren, Adam (Summer), Ryan (Nereida), Jared, Joshua (Kayla), Tori, Aubrey, Tony, Andrew, Alek, Gwendolyn, Elizabeth, Mia, Sydney, Max, and Sam. He is also survived by his five great grandchildren, Adalynn, Niko, Michael, Jayden and August. John also leaves behind many close friends, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 10:30 am, with a Rosary beginning at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 7595 N. Federal Blvd., Westminster, CO. Reception will follow in the church hall. A formal procession will begin at 1:30 pm to Fort Logan National Cemetery for John’s burial with military honors at 2:30 pm.

A celebration of life will also be held in Trinidad, CO on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 2 pm at the Sebastiani Gymnasium, 206 N Animas St. Trinidad, CO 81082. A Mass said in memory of John will follow at 4:00 pm at The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 135 Church St., Trinidad, CO 81082.

Memorial Donations may be made to:

• Most Holy Trinity Church, 235 N Convent St., Trinidad, CO 81082

• Friends of Saint Andrews, 1525 Dallas St., Aurora, CO 80010

• SCCOG Care Services, 300 Bonaventure Ave., Trinidad, CO 81082 • Sayre Senior Center, 1222 San Pedro Ave.,Trinidad, CO 81082