Bernard "Bernie" Laabs of Novi, Michigan died on August 27th in the comfort of his own home. He was born to Bernard and Edna Laabs on January 14th,1928 in Wausau Wisconsin. He was a proud Wausau High School Lumberjack, where he was class president and a member of the basketball and football teams. He spent his summers working at the local paper mill. One week after graduation, he joined the army and was shipped off to Korea. While on leave, he took a train ride through Japan and witnessed the stark aftermath of Hiroshima. He returned to the States, used his GI bill to attend college at the University of Wisconsin at Steven's Point for two years, then completed his Bachelor's Degree at the main campus in Madison. Upon graduation, he was hired by Crum and Forster Insurance and moved to Freeport, Illinois. He joined the Freeport Community Theatre group and met the love of his life, Nancy Springer (who Bernie happily recalled wore a sassy maid's costume in the play). The family eventually moved to Rockford, Illinois, then to Livonia, Michigan where they raised their five kids. Bernie was a loving husband to his dear Nancy for 57 years. He was father, grandfather, and great grandfather to all of whom he called "hammerheads." A businessman, a golfer, a scratch-off lottery lover, racehorse owner, Spartan, Tigers fan, mixologist of "Bernie Bombers" and a regular at local diners. He is predeceased by his wife Nancy Laabs (December 24th 2011.) Bernie is survived by children David (Susan), Suzanne (Daniel), Daniel (Kim), Peter (Colette), and Thomas (Katherine); Grandchildren Amanda, Denver (Ashleigh), Ashley (Brian), Weston (Sarah), Parker, Patrick (Carmen), Brandon, Logan, Theresa (Katie), Dawson, Nancy; Great grandchildren: Lily, Michael, Izzabella, Victoria. Memorial donations may be made to Bridgepointe to support Boy Scout Troop 1315, or the Madonna University Broadcast Click here to contribute
and Cinema Arts Guild.