DIXON — Laurin E. Williamson, 89, of Dixon, died Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon. He, along with his wife, Ruth, owned and operated Blankenberg Studio for more than 40 years.

Visitation was held from 1 - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon. Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dixon, with Rev. Joseph O’Donnell, pastor, officiating.

Burial with full military honors provided by the combined veterans organizations, will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Dixon. A luncheon will be served immediately following the services at the church.

Mr. Williamson was born Sept. 7, 1927 in Amherst Junction, Wis., the youngest son of Elmer Edwin and Lillian (Louison) Williamson. He married Ruth Bulgrin, on Sept. 1, 1948 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wis.

He attended elementary school in Amherst and graduated high school in Waupaca, Wis. After high school, he left Waupaca to work in Milwaukee, and later entered the United States Air Force, where he learned photography. The war in Korea was in progress, and he helped to map the coast of China and all parts of Korea. He was later stationed in Japan. He said, “After that we flew to the USA and took a train to Chicago, then a bus home to 1333 Orchard Street and met his daughter, Joan, for the first time…. it was the happiest of days for me.” 

In 1955, Laurin and Ruth moved to Dixon and opened Blankenberg Studio. He always wore a smile and told many jokes to make more smiles for everyone. He loved all sports, baseball, basketball, and golf, especially the Cubs and Bears. He loved his family and his family loved him…we were blessed with him in our lives. God bless us all and give Laurin and us peace.

Laurin is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Dixon; one son, Mark Williamson, of Dixon; two grandchildren, Eric (Lisa) Williamson, of Ames, Iowa, and Samantha (Alex) Wagner, of Ind.; and two great grandchildren, Houston Williamson and Cole Wagner; three sisters, Yvonne (Paul) Marsh of Springville, N.Y., Shirley (Armin) Engelmann, of Germantown, Wis., and Jean (Robert) Larkee of Superior, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Joan Williamson; four brothers, Warren, Allen, Kenneth and Garth Williamson.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dixon.

Arrangements are being completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon.

Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.