Remembering Laird Cruzen
Laird Cruzen has passed away at the age of 86. He was a 1958 Buena Vista graduate and was later in charge of operations in the Siebens Forum at BVU.
Laird Lewis Cruzen, age 86, lost his battle with Parkinson's Disease, on November 13, 2018, in Fredericksburg, VA. A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, November 18, in Fredericksburg. A summer Celebration of Life in Storm Lake is pending.
Laird was born August 26, 1932, on a wheat farm in Carnduff, Saskatchewan. He was the son of Lewis Arthur and Faye Eunice Lytle Cruzen, who were American citizens granting him dual citizenship. Laird graduated with an Associate Degree in Retail Merchandise from Ryerson Institute of Technology in Toronto, Ontario. He was drafted into the United States Army and served in Germany during the Korean War. He went on to graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration from Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, in 1958.
On June 13, 1959, he married Mary Ann Wixon of Storm Lake. He was a member of Presbyterian, Methodist and United Church of Canada congregations over the years. He served as an elder at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake.
For 30 years, he owned and operated The House of Laird's in Storm Lake, Iowa and for 10 years he also owned and operated Abner Bell's in Storm Lake. Laird served, as president of the Iowa Retail Clothiers, president of the Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris fellow. He held various offices and served on committees of The Jaycees and The Chamber of Commerce, was a member of The Elks Club and Lake Creek Country Club. He was a Mason and in 1987 entered the Shrine. Laird and Mary Ann were active at Buena Vista University, creating the Fifth Quarter party following Homecoming. In 1985, Laird was asked to be the Commodore of the Star Spangled Spectacular, the Fourth of July Celebration, held in Storm Lake. He invited Ann-Margret be the Grand Marshall of the Parade and he considered this to be one of his greatest accomplishments. Laird finished his career as the Facilities Manager at Buena Vista University, retiring in 2000. Laird and Mary Ann retired to Sun Lakes, AZ before moving to Canton, GA and eventually settling in Fredericksburg, VA.
He is survived by his wife, of 59 years, Mary Ann, a sister, Mildred Rosdail Ozinga of Panora, IA, four daughters: Marnie Schattgen (Steve) of Fredericksburg, VA; Trudi Cruzen (Dana) of Bend, OR; Paige Cruzen-Jones (David) of Marietta, GA and Alyssa Taylor (Eddie) of Richmond, VA, eleven grandchildren: Graham, Maya, Hamilton, Reid Schattgen; Kali and Joice Cruzen; Helen, Jack and Clay Jones; Sarah Jane and Maggie Taylor, many nieces and nephews. Laird was a kind man, a man of faith, generous with many who were less fortunate, a loving father and husband, proud grandfather and uncle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Laird's honor be made to Buena Vista University or Mary Washington Hospice.