Lauren L. Ningen

NINGEN, LAUREN L (Buzz) Nov 4, 1937 - Dec 01, 2025

Son of Edward M. and Clarice A. Ningen, born in Porter, Minnesota.

He enjoyed life as he would wish all of his friends and family could do. A public servant for nearly 50 years in military and civilian life. He was a city, county, state, and federal employee or volunteer most of his life. Left this earthly life kicking and scraping the whole way. Having experienced many highs and a few lows in life he declared that he “would not have wanted to miss any of it.”

Preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Bill M Ningen, and his daughter, Mary Ann. Lauren is survived by his wife, Kathryn; daughter, Teri; son, Bill (Beth); step-daughter, Kelly (Allen); step-son, Jim (Sophie); grandchildren, Chris, Brandon, and Dakota, Raven (Kyle), and Remy and Elyse; great-grandchildren, Levi and Ellie.

Lauren was well educated, with more than 7 years of college, with a BS in Mathematics from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and graduate studies at South Dakota State College. He taught at North Junior High and Rapid City Central High School, as well as Northwest Business College. He held offices in SDEA, SDCTM and a variety of small public service organizations. Lauren enjoyed every job he ever had, even the “really bad ones.” He liked to travel in his RV and camp out.

He claimed that “his compass only had one direction….West” towards the Rocky Mountains. Playing keyboard, piano, and accordion, he tried to include one hour of music in each day and shared his talents with others along his trail through life. His favorite quotations were “gold is where you find it”, and “success is getting what you want, but happiness is wanting what you get.” Although he will be missed by many, cheered on by a few, he was always his own man.

In many different times and in many different places.

In many different disguises and many different faces.

Whenever I stopped and looked back to see,

I have known always that it was me. - LLN

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home in Fridley for Lauren L. Ningen, age 88, who passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025 at his home in Columbia Heights. Interment will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2025 at Union Cemetery in Maplewood.