Kenneth Kurtz Laud, 96, of East Moline, IL, died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at his home. Private family services will be held Tuesday at Rock Island National Cemetery. Mr. Laud was born August 28, 1918, in Pella, IA, the youngest of nine children born to Walter and Matilda Dunlevy Laud. He was raised in Oskaloosa, IA. He enlisted in the US Army Air Force January 13, 1941. He was a member of the 8th Air Force, 97th Bomb Group, 342nd Bomb Squad. He was the head radio operator and waist gunner in a B-17 "Flying Fortress". He was shot down on a mission to Lorient, France, on October 21, 1942, and entered the German prison camp, Stalag XVII-B in Krems, Austria. He was a POW for 925 days. They were liberated on May 3, 1945. He married Mary Ann Berdahl in 1946. He was self employed for 65 years. He owned and operated Kenneth K. Laud Concrete Construction, completing his last job at age 93. He enjoyed working and reading about history. Survivors include his daughter, Marlow (Bob) Groy, Moline, IL; sons, Kenneth L. (Peggy) Laud, East Moline, and Danny Laud, Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Annette (Jim) Roby, Robin Groy, Kelly Bance, Kurt Laud, and Kimberlee Smith; great grandchildren, Alaynna, Jameson, Cody, Mason, Ashley, Zach, Taelon, Lincoln, and Chrissy. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gene Kurtz " Snookie" Laud; grandson, Gene Kurtz Laud; 8 siblings.

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