Paul Raymond Laplander

Paul Raymond Laplander, age 86, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away Friday morning, October 22, 2010 at War Memorial Hospital. Paul was born on April 3, 1924 in Dollar Bay, Michigan, the son of the late Emil and Mary (Olsen) Laplander. Paul proudly served his country in the United States Army during WW II. Most of Paul?s service time was spent in China, Burma, and India where one of his many duties was driving supply truck over the Burma Road. On November 11, 1947, he married Esther Messer in Burnips, Michigan. Marrying Esther was a double blessing to Paul because in addition to a loving and devoted wife it gave him yet another family to love and cherish. Paul was no ordinary man. Kind, loving and generous to a fault, he held his friendships close to his heart and treasured his family above all else. Paul loved to sing, using his voice to worship the Lord. He sang in several church choirs, was a member of the Mary Wood Community Chorus and soloed in several churches in the area. Paul worked long hard hours to provide for his family, driving an oil transport truck, delivering home heating fuel and managing the Sault branch of McGregor Oil Company. He was a member of the Messer/McGahey/Routhier VFW Post #9023 and the Sault Wesleyan Church. Paul love to be outdoors, even in the winter if just to shovel the walk. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and being in the woods. If there were blueberries to pick, all the better. Paul is survived by his wife: Esther Laplander; a son: Kurt (Laura)Laplander of Claremont, MN; a daughter: Jill (Don) Mort of Ouray, CO; two grandsons: Joshua and Justin Laplander; two sisters: Margaret (Ray) Hoskings of Escanaba, MI and Martha (Howard) Maddox of Westminster, CO; and a brother: Jimmy (Loretta) Laplander of Dollar Bay, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Bill, Rick, and Bob; and three sisters: Ruth, Ollie, and Julia. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 PM on Monday, October 25, 2010 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the funeral home with Pastor Chad McDonald officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be left to the Wesleyan Church building fund or Chippewa County Home Health and Hospice.

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Paul Raymond Laplander

April 3, 1924 - October 22, 2010