Laurel Paul Unnasch, 80, of Rochester, MN, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his family.

Laurel was born January 1st, 1946, in La Crosse, WI to Donald and Wilma (Northrup) Unnasch. He grew up in rural Houston, MN and graduated from Houston High School in 1964. Shortly after high school, Laurel joined the U.S. Army and proudly served from 1965-1967; he deployed to Vietnam as part of the 3rd Ordnance Battalion, 60th Ordnance Company, a unit which managed ammunition depots.

The day after Laurel returned from Vietnam, he met the love of his life, Cheryl Carlson. They were married on August 17th, 1968, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rushford, MN. The couple moved to Rochester, MN in 1973 where they remained for the rest of their years together. He spent over 40 years of his career in the long-haul trucking industry.

Laurel's hobbies included fishing, hunting, tending to his garden, sitting on his deck watching nature, drinking a good cup of coffee, watching the MN Twins and Vikings, and traveling with Cheryl. Most of all, he enjoyed being surrounded by his loved ones at family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cheryl Unnasch; his daughters Christine (Reggie Abraham) Unnasch, Nichole (Wayne) Sandberg, and Jill (Brad) Dodson; his grandchildren Nicholas, Erik, Kate, Maya, Benjamin, Evan, and Rowan; and his siblings Loretta Lanz, Roger Unnasch, and Lucille Finch. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Brian Klein. Military Honors provided by Post 92 will be immediately following the service.  A visitation hour will be held prior to the service starting at 1 pm.