Donelle L. Laabs, 57, of 406 Greenbush St., Ironwood, died Sunday evening, March 15, 2009, in his home. He was born Oct. 31, 1951, in Ironwood, son of the late Donald and Helen (Hodgins) Laabs, attended Central Grade School, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1970. Donelle was employed in construction in the area for several years, and worked as a mechanic and car detailer for many years. He loved the outdoors, hunting, camping and socializing. A very loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be deeply missed by all. He married the former Sharon A. Ruona on Dec. 8, 2000 in Ashland. She survives. Also surviving are three sons, Dan (Amanda), Bessemer, and Gary and Jeff, both of Ironwood; two daughters, Jessie (Jessie) Piilola and Dawn Vernetti, both of Ironwood; step-children, Brian (Maria) Lindberg, Green Bay, Cariann (Jeff) Kasieta, Ironwood, and Lisa (John) Meyers, Sacramento, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Jory, Brayden, Emaleah, Elsa and Eliana Vernetti, Tristin and Samantha Laabs, and Matthew and Melissa Snarski; step-grandchildren, Justin, Chasz and Isaac Kasieta, Garrett Meyers, and Alyssa and Spencer Kitzman; three brothers, Tom (Sharon), A. Paul "Punky" (DeeDee), and Brian (Sharon), all of Ironwood; a sister, Lauana (Mike) Drier, Ironwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers-and-sisters-in-law. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Scott Weirl, in 1994. Out of respect for Donelle's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering in celebration of Donelle's life will be held Saturday, March 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood. Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring. To view Donelle's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood