Laurel Buen, 93, Berthold, died Saturday, May 12, 2012, in a Minot hospital.

He attended school in Berthold. Laurel was an active participant in the sports of basketball and baseball, often walking the 2.5 miles for practices and games. He graduated with the class of 1935.

Laurel was united in marriage to Joyce Manasterski on October 26, 1940 in Cando, ND. They made their home in Berthold since 1945.

Laurel was inducted into the US Air Force on May 27, 1942 serving his country honorably until his discharge on October 18, 1945. Upon his return home, he entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law, John Hansen to operate Berthold Mercantile for over 20 years. Farming was the next life stage for Laurel. He raised small grains for a number of years until retirement.

Over the years Laurel has been a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold, serving on the council, the Berthold American Legion and also served the City of Berthold has Mayor for a number of years.

He enjoyed watching sports on television and drives in the countryside, checking his fields.

His family includes loving wife of 71 years, Joyce, Berthold; daughter, Patricia Grant, Omaha, NE; sons, Gene (Pat) Buen, Velva, ND and Ronald (Pat) Buen, Victoria, B.C., Canada; grandchildren, Dianna Pollert, Daniel Buen, David Buen, Andrea Cavenaugh, Aron Grant, Gage Grant, Farrah Wennstedt, Jon Buen and Eric Buen; great-grandchildren, Ella Buen, Trevor and Ashley Pollert, Grant Cavenaugh and Hunter, Maci and Breanna Grant; sister, Ione Henrickson, Berthold and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Laurel was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, Beatrice, sisters, Clara Sanstead, Avis Brudevig, Esther Allshouse, Bernice Higgins and Evelyn Hansen and brothers, Calmer and Kenneth Buen.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold, ND.
Interment: Wildrose Cemetery, Berthold, ND
Visitation: Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Berthold Community Ambulance.