Brent R. Lauf, 41, New Salem, formerly of Riverdale and Napoleon, died March 25, 2007 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Brent was born April 22, 1965 in Mandan, ND. He grew up on his family farm northeast of Hazen where he helped raise dairy cows for 17 years. He enjoyed working with the cattle and traveled to many states showing his cattle. He attended Riverdale School and graduated in 1983. After graduation, he went to Bismarck Junior College for one year and later completed his education at Minot State University with a teaching degree. He began his coaching career at Riverdale in 1987, where he coached Girls Varsity BB until 1990. He then spent two years coaching in Underwood. In August 1993, after graduating from college, he took his first teaching job in Napoleon, where he also coached girls and boys basketball along with girls and boys track until May of 2000. In August of 2000 to present, he became Principal and Athletic Director of New Salem Public School. He also coached cross country and boys basketball. While in New Salem, Brent pursued his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership through NDSU.

Brent married Allison Sperle on August 2, 2000 in Lake Tahoe, NV. They made their home in New Salem, where they enjoy raising their four children, Justin (19), Sami (17), Kyley (5), and Madison (3).

Brent has a love for sports and coaching and has been a true inspiration to not only his own children, but to the many children he met through his years of teaching and coaching. He enjoyed participating and watching different sporting events, but especially those that his children participated in.

Brent is survived by his loving wife, Allison; four children, Justin, Sami, Kyley, and Madison, all of New Salem; parents, Elmer and Lucille, Hazen, ND and grandfather, Herb Unterseher, New Salem.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Hulda Unterseher, paternal grandparents, Robert and Lea Lauf and uncle, Lester Unterseher.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 29, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. in New Salem HS Gymnasium, officiated by Reverend Loren Strum of Zion Lutheran Church - LCMS, New Salem, ND;
Family Service: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, New Salem, ND.
Interment: Graceland Cemetery - New Salem, ND
Visitation: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, New Salem, ND and one hour prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers and plants memorials are preferred in Brent's name to Security First Bank of New Salem or the New Salem Credit Union.