Obituary of Laurel Dougherty

Laurel "Sonny" Dougherty, 65, Saginaw, died Friday, February 20, 2004 in his home after a long illness. He was born March 25, 1938 in Duluth, the son of Orel and Ilmi (Maki) Dougherty. Sonny was the owner/operator of Dougherty Trucking in Saginaw. He operated the Saginaw recycling center and enjoyed making hay. Sonny also took care of the road work for Brevator Township and his favorite job was grading the roads. He was preceded in death by his father, Orel; a brother, Dale "Butch" and an infant brother, Delbert; and his maternal grandparents, Ma and Pa Maki. Sonny is survived by his wife, Ginger; two sons, Les (Peggy) and Lyle (Tracy); a daughter, Kimberly (Steve) Amatuzio; his mother, Ilmi Dougherty; his sister, Debra (James) Rissanen; two step-children, Paul (Star) Hanks and Tracy Hanks, all of Saginaw; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two nieces, Lana (Brian) Port and their daughter, Rileigh "Munchkin" and Cheri Rissanen; his former wife and friend, Betty (Lewis) Davis of Sun City, AZ and his special traveling companion, Mikey. The family will receive friends Thursday, February 26, 2004 from 4:00 until the 6:00 p.m. funeral service in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Pine River Cemetery, Brevator Township.