Dean W. Lau

Doniphan resident, Dean Lau, 82, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Saint Francis Medical Center, Grand Island.

Services will be Saturday, March 18 at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hastings with Bishop Michael Perry officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 17th from 5pm-8pm at the Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings. Condolences may be sent to the family at

www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Dean was born January 19, 1935 to John W. and Hattie L (Markham) Lau in Hastings. He grew up in the Hansen area and served in the United States Army from 1957-1958. He married Carol Joan Riggs in Tacoma, Washington on March 20, 1958. Later sealed for time and all eternity in the St George Temple in 1967. They made their home in Grand Island, where he worked at Chief Industries Inc for 17 years. The family later moved to Doniphan in 1977 where he farmed until retiring in 2007.

Dean was known as someone who would help anyone and his dry humor and rare smiles were legendary.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served in many capacities over the years. Some of his favorite pastimes were playing cards and tending his garden to share his bounty with everyone.

He is survived by wife, Joan; one son, Mitchell D Lau (Jona) Doniphan; five daughters, Kristin Atkin (Dan) Aurora, CO; Jacqueline Slusinski (Pete) West DesMoines IA; Suzanne Rainforth (Brent) Doniphan; Shannon Beck (Jamey) Clarks; Melissa Gillespie (Dylan) Mesa, AZ; 16 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and brother Darrel Lau of Tulsa, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters-in-law Fran Lau and Kay Cherrington.