Lauren Edward Menz

He was a blacksmith at Northern Pacific Railroad from 1950 until 1953. He took engineering courses through the Railroad and was subsequently selected to enter the engineering department in St. Paul, Minnesota because of his excellent grades and aptitude.

He married his high-school sweetheart, Barbara Frankum, on May 24, 1954 in Brainerd, Minnesota. They subsequently had 5 children and then 7 grandchildren.

Lauren worked in the engineering Dept for Dispatch Oven in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving out west to Kirkland, Washington in February 1957 to accept a position with the Boeing Company where he worked for the next 37 years. He worked on many different programs including the 707, KC-135, 737, Saturn Rocket for the Apollo Space Program, 747, and 767 programs. He was very proud of the fact that he held the highest technical designer position possible within the Boeing Company for a number of years before he retired in 1994.

He was also very proud of the fact that he designed many crucial pieces in the 747 program including Stow Bins and the Ladder Support system used to support the Stow Bins, duct work, wiring, etc. in the 747 airplanes.

He loved woodworking and almost completely finished the downstairs level of the house he shared with Barbara for over 37 years in the Kingsgate area of Kirkland.

He loved to sing and sang in the Rose Hill Presbyterian Church choir as well as the award-winning Lake Washington Skippers Barbershop Chorus and the Northwest Sound Barbershop Chorus. Both barbershop choruses competed numerous times in international competitions representing the Evergreen District which represents Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. He also sang in many barbershop quartets as well as The Kings Men Gospel Quartet within the Rose Hill Presbyterian Church.

He and Barbara joined Rose Hill Presbyterian Church in 1959 and have been very active members over the years participating in Clipper Club, youth leadership, Sunday school classes, Senior Activities, etc. Lauren served 1 term as an Elder within the church. He also served on the music committee for a number of years as well.

He loved camping and travelling, and always enjoyed taking his family on many road trips over the years seeing much of the Western United States in the process.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Menz, 5 children, and 7 grandchildren: Brad & Sherry Menz and Staci and Brenna Menz of Bothell, WA; Bruce & Rexann Menz of Bremerton, WA; Mike & Jane Brewer, Sean and Kevin McKibben, and Katelyn Brewer of Kirkland, WA; John & Jill Shipps and Riley and Ethan Shipps of Woodinville, WA; and Brian & Judie Menz of Bothell, WA.

He is also survived by 2 sisters and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceeded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Lauren was diagnosed with a pre-leukemia condition in June of 2009 and underwent many treatments including blood transfusions and chemotherapy, and was eventually diagnosed with Myesthenia Gravis as well which is a neuromuscular condition affecting the muscles of breathing and heart function. He entered the Cascade Vista Nursing Home on December 22, 2009 for hopeful rehabilitation and strengthening. His condition continued to worse, and his entire family spent Christmas afternoon with him visiting and sharing stories and memories. Lauren died on December 28, 2009 at Cascade Vista Nursing Home.