Person:Herman Laug (1)

Obituaries HERMAN LAUG, HOPE COLLEGE BACKER, DIES AT 84

  Herman Laug's belief that higher education was crucial was backed by his generous scholarship donations to Hope College and support of its athletic and cultural endeavors.
  The 84-year-old Coopersville man died Wednesday morning.
  Mr. Laug graduated from Hope with a history degree in 1929.  He went on to earn a master's degree in history at the University of Michigan.
  He taught in Coopersville and was a principal in Martin before he became deaf as the result of an illness, said his sister, Jenna Jelles, of Muskegon.
  After losing his hearing, he quit teaching to go into business with his father, John, who owned Coopersville Flour and Feed Mill, in 1943.  His hearing was later surgically restored in the 1950s.  He retired and sold the mill when he was 65.
 Mr. Laug's wife, Flora, whom he met while both were vacationing in Athens, Greece, died 3 1/2 years ago.
  "They had no children, so Hope became their family.  The attended all the sports and theatrical events there,' Jelles said.
  'He felt that college educations were so important.  We had a big family and we couldn't afford to send them away to school.  They helped send four of my eight kids to Hope," Jelles said.
  Jelles said the Laugs travelled to 56 countries and were particularly interested in helping foreign exchange students.
  Mr. Laug was active in civic affairs, participating in committees for the Red Cross, Cancer Society and other groups.  He was also active in Coopersville Reformed Church as well as Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.
   Funeral Services will be held 3 p.m. Friday in the Coopersville Reformed Church, Rev. Mark Berndt officiating.  Burial will be at Coopersville Cemetery.
  Visitation hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville.  Memorials may be made to the Herman and Flora Laug Scholarship Fund at Hope College.
 Source:  Grand Rapids Press, Thursday, May 9, 1992 pg C4.

LAUG - Mr. Herm Laug, aged 84, of Coopersville, was called home to be with his Lord and Saviour Wednesday morning. Mr. Laug owned and operated Coopersville Feed Mill for many years before his retirement. He was a strong supporter of Hope College and its programs. He was a member of Coopersville Reformed Church. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Nicholas (Jenna V.) Jelles of Muskegon; many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Friday 3 p.m. in the Coopersville Reformed Church, Rev. Mark Berndt officiating. Interment Coopersville Cemetery. Visitation hours 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville. Memorials may be made to the Herman and Flora Laug Scholarship Fund.

 Source:  Grand Rapids Press, Thursday, April 9, 1992, Pg. C6.

Faculty picture at Coopersville HS

Grand Rapids Press, Thursday, April 9, 1992, Pg. C6.

Grand Rapids Press, Thursday, May 9, 1992 pg C4.

1. ↑ Compiler: County Clerk Grand Haven Michigan. Ottawa County Michigan Births.

   Book 7 Pg 410 #1104, includes parents names.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Obituary, in Grand Rapids Press. (Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States).

   Thursday, April 9, 1992, Pp. B4 & C6.