I can't say enough about how sad I was to learn of Mr. Laenen's passing. He was a principled man with a big heart. He treated people like they mattered, young and old.
Working in Pennsylvania, I couldn't make the funeral, and I regret that I couldn't be there to support you in your loss,  to hear the testimonials which only affirm what we already know about him, and to say good-bye.
My heartfelt condolences to Carrie and Denny, your mother, the whole Laenen family, and I'll include St.Gertrude and St. Clair Shores. The whole community feels this loss..
 
Be Well,
Jeff

"I only met Ray once, but the memory will last a lifetime, nice man, Carrie , Denny sorry for your loss, memories are everything"

Dear Laenen Family, 
        Leo and I have felt very privileged to know and to have been with Ray.  What a wonderful man, generous and kind, always vey pleasant,  love that little dance of his and always, the singing -- a man with a happy heart.  What a lot of great memories you all must have to cherish!        
                                              Love, Leo and Lucy

Uncle Ray was an amazing person.  He was such a fantastic person with such a great attitude and love for life.  Uncle Ray was one of the kindest people I have ever met.  He was a wonderful role model and fantastic example of how a life should be lived. I will never forget his smile, positive attitude, and his great sense of humor.  Uncle Ray will continue to live on through the people he came in contact with during his life because he had such a lasting impact on everyone he met.

I am so glad I had him for my great uncle!  He will always hold a special place in my heart!  

You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Ray was one of the finest men I ever met - friendly, warm, attentive, elegant and quick witted. When I was growing up, I always wanted to become a man like Ray. After my dad, he was the man I admired most. His ability to balance all aspects of life - work, family, church and play - with so much grace and good humor was inspiring. And what a snappy dresser.

My condolences to your family for such a loss. But there is joy too, for having lived with such a great guy.

Carrie, Denny and family,
 We are thinking of you and your family on this sad day. You have all been blessed to have had Ray in your life. We wish there was some way to take away the pain but the memories of a life shared with such a wonderful man will never fade.
Our love and condolences,

Uncle Ray and Aunt Norma were always like family! They sponsored my mom's family moving here from Begium. I was the first one born in this country and was overdue. Uncle Ray wanted me born on his birthday but my mom didn't want to wait that long. She did though, I was born 8 minutes after midnight on April 18th, his 35th birthday. He has been the best birthday buddy for 50 years and I will miss him terribly! He would call and sing to me every year. Last year even though he was forgetting who I was, I managed to digitally record him singing Happy Birthday so I will have the memory to keep for years. We were together on that last birthday, my 50th and his 85th. He is my idol on how to live life as a Christian, a Patriot and being sacred to your vows of marriage. I feel blessed to know the whole family!

Rick & Diane,  how very saddened we are to hear of your Dad's death.  Know that you and your entire family are in our prayers at this difficult time.

I can't begin to tell you how Ray has touched my heart and my life. Through him, I was able to put some pieces of my Dad's wartime puzzle together.  We only met 17 months ago, but Ray and Norma made me feel like we were family. I will never forget their kindnesses and the love they gave freely.  Ray will be sorely missed. My sympathies to all in Ray's family.

Kim / Linda .... My thoughts and prayers are with you both ... Greg LeFevre

From the first moment I met Uncle Ray it was apparent to me that I was in the presence of a true American hero, a member of the " Greatest Generation".  He had a style about him that made you feel good about yourself, confident, and secure.  He clearly was an individual who cared deeply about his family, his friends , and his country,  and for this we are so blessed and grateful to have known him.  Uncle Ray, if you are looking down upon us , thank you so much for the great role model that you are.  You will be sorely missed but never forgotten.  Lovingly yours, Alex Santini

Dear Laenen Family:  I just heard about Ray a few minutes ago, too late for the visitation.  He was a good man and knew how to light up a room.  I will always remember Ray and Norma dancing their way out of all the O'Brien weddings ....a very fond image.....You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Randy O'Brien

We are so thankful to have known Mr. Laenen as many other people have said. He truly was an amazing person and treated everyone with respect and compasion. A true romantic till the end. He will be greatly missed. May God Bless his family in this time of sorrw.
Love
Anne & Brian Pleva, Family

"We're sorry for your loss Carrie and Denny. The entire family of Ray Laenen is in our thoughts during this sad time. Though we never met Ray, we learned through Carrie that he was a wonderful father and a man of high principles. Because he gave his heart, he was surrounded by love his entire life."

Few men have I held in such high esteem as Ray Laenen. He exemplified the best of the Greatest Generation. It was an honor to know him, to learn from him, and to enjoy his company and hospitality. The world is a lesser place with his passing, but those of us who knew Ray are richer for the privilege.

     Thank you to all of the wonderful people that have sent their love and well wishes to my family at this time. I wish you all could have known my Grandpa, as he blessed those he knew in so many ways. His life was amazing, only matched by his legacy of which I am thankful to be a small part. For you I wish a life so full and a love so grand as the one he shared with my lovely Grandma for 63 years. My personal belief is that love is the only thing that transcends life and death; space and time. That his love for us and ours for him knows no end. His love for Grandma is as limitless and strong as the day he first professed it to her~

We wish Norma and her children very much strenght in these days of mourning for the lost of a wonderfull familyman and a great example for his descendants.

Wishing that peace finds your family.  From Leo Lesperance's daughter with loads of warm memories of Mr. Laenen. Lots of love, Theresa and Bill

We were very sadened about the passing of Mr. Laenen.  With thoughts of peace and our heartfelt sympathy. Our prayers are with you.

To the family of Remie (Ray) Laenen, thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. If not for him we would not have my father.  Thank you Ray. I also remember him and my dad singing "God Bless America"at my parents 50th anniversary.  God bless you and your family.  
Anna (Spicketts) Smith

I light this candle in memory of my friend Mr.Remie Laenen. I had the honor of knowing him for many years   ( Through his son Kim )  and always ejoyed being around him and his woderful outlook on life and his never ending smile. God's speed my friend RIP

Dear Mrs. Laenen
         I was so very sadden when I heard about Mr. Laenen's passing. Our prayers are with you and your family in this time of  sorrow.

Dear Norma & Family,
With heartfelt condolences.  We will always remember the fond memories that we shared.
Our prayers are with all of you.
Love,
Gabby, Anna & Megen

I had the privlidge of knowing Mr. Laenen for over 20 years through his sons, Rick and Kim and their business.  My favorite memory of him is that every time I visited ADI, he would come out and sing a song,( and often do a dance), especially for me!  He was a wonderful family man and so very product of his children and grandchildren.    I have treasured their friendship through the years.
He gave me the book he wrote about his WWII experiences to give to my 89 year old Aunt, who was also a WWII Veteran.  She was so impressed that he had addressed his comments directly to her!  He was a true gentleman and unforgettable credit to his generation.  Linda Vendt and Bob Denlinger - Northville, MI

To all my family, we are so lucky God chose us to have our dad in our lives. He taught us so much about caring and loving and just what a good person is. Always having honor and integrity in everything he did. Never judging and always available for listening and sharing his advise "regardless" of the topic. His calm sweet smile and laughter will be missed and thought of every day.
I love all you guys!

Carrie, you are a living testament to how wonderful your Dad was.  His smile and vibrant personality will be remembered. God Bless you and your family.

Dear Norma and family,
We will always remember his warm and welcoming greetings honored whenever we occasioned to meet.  The legacy of his love grows and inspires many. Ray was such an endearing man. His love for life, his wife, his children and grandchilren, and all he met along the way is a testimony of his very kind heart. Our deepest sympathy to everyone. May his soul rest peacefully in the loving care of Jesus Christ.  Betty and Gary Pleva

There are few times in life when we are fortunate enough to meet someone who can say 1 sentence that that can make such an impact on us that we view everything in a better way. Cherish those moments and those memories. Rest In Peace, Mr. Laenen! "Look what you created!" Gods Blessings!

Dearest Carrie and Family, we are very sorry for your loss.  Ray was a Dear man and though we did not know him well we loved his charming personality, we feel  blessed to have known him. Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.Love, Dennis and Kim Schaub and  Family

Grandpa was a wonderful man with a vibrant personality. He was a true gentleman with a strong sense of family. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. I am fortunate to have known him. Prayers to all. Jay

Grandpa was a wonderful man with a vibrant personality. I am fortunate to have had known him. A true gentleman with a strong sense of family. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Prayers to all during this sad time. Jay

God bless and comfort you, Carrie and all who knew and loved your dad. He was special.

We are so sorry for your loss. We never had the pleasure of knowing your Father. If he is anything like Rick then he must have been an incredible man. John & Patricia Stanton

To Carrie and her family, I am so glad we in Encore got to know that your Dad had written a book and to see that book.  I'm glad he could share his life through his book as a Veteran.  I am grateful for his service and bravery.  His life touched many people.  We are so sorry for your loss.  My prayers are with you and your family.  With love and friendship,  Judy and Gary Michalski

I spent three hours with Ray on the day we met.  When I left the meeting I felt that somehow, he was already my good friend.  I later discovered that Ray made everybody, from the waitress he had just met to his lifelong friends, feel that they too were special.  That was his gift and he shared it freely with everyone.  His friendship changed my life and, I suspect, the lives of many, many others.  As bright as a diamond and optimistic to a fault, he was a special person who leaves a hole as big as his heart in the lives of all who knew him.

We didnt know Ray all that well but when he came to Carries at our annual outings and sang we all were thrilled at his voice and his love of country and family, I know he will very missed. Chuck and Dottie Peterson

The Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe was a far better steward of service because Ray was a member. He will be missed.

Norma:  I am so sorry for your loss.  Ray
was one of the nicest person to be around.

        I spoke to Fr. John and he is saying a mass for Ray.  He asked that I extend his condolences and will be writing you.  My prayers are with you and the family.

Therese Bogos

Ray was such a special man. We will miss his smile.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Norma and your family.
Ken and Jo Ann Wujek

My Grandfather has been one of the largest influences in my life.  He was always positive, and supportive.  He was a family man.  He will always stay in my heart.

We will all miss Ray, Know that your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I often think of Ray, If not for his heroics. I would not be here

Dear Norma (and family), we are so sorry to hear of Ray's passing. What a wonderful man ... and what a great friendship you both had with my mom & dad. Liz and Roger lost track of many friends when they left Grosse Pointe, but you and Ray were true life-long friends. I remember my dad telling the story of he and Ray playing Gin Rummy at the Yacht Club, and both skunking their opponents in all three lines (I heard it over and over). And when Liz had her stroke, and lost her ability to speak. Ray would sing to her ... and she could sing right with him, it was truly magical. You and Ray are both in our thoughts and prayers.

Frank and Margaret Ignich wish to let the family of Remie Laenen know how much we will miss him.  He will be remembered in our hearts as one of the most kind and wonderful person we have ever known. Our sympathy to his family and we know that God has taken him to be there with Him..If there is anything we can do please let us know.

OBITUARY

Remie Laenen

April 18, 1926 – February 19, 2012

Kaul Funeral Home

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