Rene D. DesLaurier, 96, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Monday, April 18, 2011, at Wedgewood Care Center. Services will be Monday, April 25, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rev. Mark A. Maresh will officiate. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Winner Cemetery, at Winner, SD. There is no visitation, Mr. DesLaurier wishes were to be cremated. Memorials are suggested to the familys choice. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements. Mr. DesLaurier was born July 2, 1914 on the family farm at Vermillion, SD. He was the son of Vetal & Eva (Gregoire) DesLaurier. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife of 63 years Darlene DesLaurier of Grand Island, NE Two sons, Bob DesLaurier of Grand Island, NE Ron DesLaurier of Grand Island, NE Two daughters & sons-in-law, Charla & Steve Thuernagle of Johnson Lake Dawn & Randall Wilhelmy of Omaha, NE One sister, Olive Blair of Waitesburg, WA Others left to cherish his memory include his granddaughter Dakota DesLaurier. Rene grew up on the family farm in South Dakota receiving his education in Jordan, SD. He entered the U. S. Army on October 20, 1942 serving until his honorable discharge on January 19, 1943. He returned to South Dakota to the family farm. He married Darlene Christensen on November 25, 1947, at Winner, SD. They moved to Grand Island, NE in 1967. He was an excellent mechanic and was employed by Paul Frauen, Ditch Witch, Boughton Equipment, Ag Services, and Country General in the mower repair shop before retiring at 80 in 1994. He enjoyed working on small engines, working in his shop, puttering in the yard and going to auctions. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He is welcomed into heaven by his parents, a son, Greg, one brother Lauren DesLaurier, and two sisters, Yvonne Maurice & Marie Mathews Memorials are suggested to the familys choice. On -line condolences may be given by signing Mr. DesLauriers guest book at www.curranfuneralchapel.com.