Dennis Laurila

Dennis C. Laurila, 76, of Mosinee (formerly of Phillips) passed away on March 10, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born on March 31, 1948, in Ironwood, Michigan to Charles “Elmer” and Amelia (Belany) Laurila. After graduating from Hurley High School in 1966, he spent one year at Gogebic Community College before pursuing a degree in industrial technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After college, Dennis began his teaching career in 1971 as a technology education teacher at Phillips High School. There, he met his wife Susan, and they were married in 1975. They both spent their entire professional careers teaching together in Phillips until his retirement in 2003. He enjoyed introducing students to his passion for woodworking, coaching football, and attending high school sporting events. He made many great friends while teaching and always appreciated connecting with former students when they would swing by the shop or say hello in the community. In retirement, Dennis enjoyed woodworking and refining his craft of woodcarving caricatures and ornaments, golfing, and spending time at “The Farm” – his cherished family property in Saxon, Wisconsin. He and Susan spent several weeks in Arizona during winter months, connecting with cousins for annual reunions and catching a few Brewers Spring Training games. He enjoyed playing cribbage and would never compromise the integrity of the game by stacking his crib – until he did, to which he replied, “Those cards didn’t go with my hand.” He loved watching the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers; reading and puzzles; and spending time with his grandchildren in his later years. He will also be remembered for numerous “Denny-isms,” which were short words of wisdom he was eager to share.

Dennis is survived by his wife Susan of 49 years, sons Jay (Heidi) Laurila of Cedarburg, Scott (Lisa) Laurila of Mosinee, and daughter Erin (Nicklous) Annoye of Mosinee. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Aiden, Emma, Claire, Amelia, and Hannah), brothers-in-law Michael (Sarah) Oebser and Richard Oebser, sisters-in-law Rosanne (John) Schauf, Sally Kimbrel, and Christine (Jeff) Vickers, nephews Dean (Jenny) Schauf and Jeff (Cyndi) Schauf, sister Dolores Henderson DeVault, and his many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Carl and Constance Oebser, uncle Louis Belany, and brothers-in-law Arnie Kimbrel and Daniel Oebser.

Memorial services will be held on April 5, 2025, at Heidl-Nimsgern Funeral Home in Phillips. Visitation will be from 11:00am – 12:00pm with services and lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Tech Ed Department at the School District of Phillips in his name. Checks can be mailed to the School District of Phillips at P.O. BOX 70, Phillips, WI 54555.

The family would like to thank the first responders of Mosinee and Rib Mountain and the teams at the Aspirus Emergency Care and ICU for their assistance and support.