Wilmer Laub

Wilmer James Robert Laub born December 10, 1921, passed away August 14, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona at the age of 90 years and 8 months. The 5th of 9 children born to Henry J. Laub and Elenora Stegmeier Laub, he was raised in Heil, North Dakota and graduated from high school in Elgin, North Dakota. He proudly served his country during World War II as a radar specialist on Okinawa, Japan. Known by his friends as Bushy, due to his thick and wavy hair, he returned to Elgin following his military service working initially with his Dad, and then brothers, to build and run Laub Motors, Inc. and farm the land he so loved near Heil. He married Neyla Norma Rieger January 6th, 1949 and together they raised three children in Elgin and continued to build their lives within the community. In the early 1980’s, as empty-nesters and following the destruction of their home from a tornado in 1979, they moved to Bismarck, North Dakota where Neyla worked at MedCenter One and Wilmer commuted to Elgin as he continued to own and operate Laub Motors. As a couple they spent a number of winters in Arizona, enjoying the companionship of their many, many friends, their children and two grandchildren, until 1999 when they made Mesa, Arizona their permanent home. Wilmer lost his best friend, and wife of 61 years, when Neyla passed away on May 15, 2010. Throughout his life he was a man of wit, humor and compassion, speaking with an outer strength that belied a heart brimming with love, generosity, and kindness. Until his last days he relished being Dad to his children James Jay Laub and Jim’s wife Tarver, Margaret Marie Laub, and Lori Lynn Laub, and Papa to his two dear grandchildren Shayna Noel Laub and Anthony Barrett Sinclair. He leaves one sister, Darlene (Dardy) Laub Rothschild and was preceded in death by his oldest sibling and sister Erna Laub Murray and brothers Elmer, Milton, Clarence, Warren, Junior, and Stanley. He will lay at rest with Neyla at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, North Dakota. Here is one last nic-nic to our Dad and Papa. We love you and will miss you.