Douglas A. Laue, 63, of Council Grove, KS, passed away after a brief illness on February 15, 2015.
He was born in Hanover, KS on October 19, 1951 to William F. “Bill” Laue and Patricia (Mullen) Laue. Doug graduated high school from Hanover High, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas State University in Animal Science. He had many skills learned from his father, and from many jobs as a young man, making him very proficient at welding, wood working, and operating large machinery, to name a few.
Doug was an avid outdoorsman, with a passion for hunting, the land, and the cattle industry. He was an entrepreneur and an incredible visionary and perhaps best known as the originator and driving force behind the formation of U.S. Premium Beef. Doug purchased a feedlot near Herington, KS, Black Diamond Custom Feeders, and grew it into a well-respected operation. His skillfulness in economics and marketing, paired with his unique ability to teach others to understand them, helped many people through the years. He will continue to be an inspiration to his family and friends for his strong work ethic, passion, leadership, intellect, generosity and service to others.
Doug is survived by the love of his life, wife Karen, of the home; daughters, Emily Welfringer (Travis) and Addie McDermeit (Tyler); and 3 grandchildren, Brynn and Cole Welfringer and Rex McDermeit, all of Manhattan, KS. He is also survived by his father, William F. “Bill” Laue, of Fairbury, NE; and siblings, LaDona Sedlacek (Frank) and Greg Laue, both of Hanover, KS, and Tracy Conklin, of Manhattan, KS, and many more family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia and brother Daniel.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 28th, at 2:00 p.m., at United Methodist Church, 21 N. Mission Street, Council Grove, KS. There will also be a visitation Friday, February 27th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Morris County Hospital Foundation, 600 N. Washington, Council Grove, KS 66846.