Lauren L. Fornia

JEFFERSON, S.D. -- Lauren L. Fornia, 83, of Jefferson passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. David Roehrich officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Visitation will resume 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Lauren was born Nov. 14, 1927, in Jefferson, to Carl and Laura "Alva" (Lewis) Fornia. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1945. He served his country in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1945 to 1950.

He was married to Mary Dennison at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jefferson on June 26, 1950. After his marriage to Mary, they started farming on a farm south of Jefferson. Laurel continued to be a successful farmer for 60 years.

He won the National Corn Growers Association for high yield contest in 2008. Lauren also enjoyed traveling with his wife when time allowed. He was an avid outdoorsman, where he loved to hunt and fish. He looked forward to his three generation hunting trips with his son, David, and grandson, Eric.

Lauren was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jefferson, American Legion, Jefferson Independent School Board, Farmers Elevator Board, president of the Jefferson Alumni Association, and the Elk Point Country Club.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Fornia of Jefferson; two daughters, Ellen (Bob) Ellwanger of Rapid City, S.D., and Laurel Fornia of Helendale, Calif.; son, David (Marlene) Fornia of Jefferson; five grandchildren, Andrea (Shane) Byrd who is currently serving with the U.S. Air Force in Germany, Eric (Paige) Fornia of Elk Point, S.D., Amy (Tovarin) Wheeler of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Erin and Cara Ellwanger of Rapid City; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris (Duane) Hansen of Sacramento, Calif., and Betty (Jim) Duvall of Springfield, Va.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Carl, Lloyd and Harold Fornia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Peter's Community Center or the charity of your choice.