Casimiro "Ike" Laumbach

Casimiro “Ike” Laumbach, 104, passed peacefully at home on July 29, 2017. He was a native of New Mexico and spent his early years punching cows as a cowboy. Ike worked on many ranches throughout New Mexico beginning on the family ranch “La Cinta”, CS Ranch, YNB Ranch and Bell Ranch. He broke one hundred horses for the U.S. Armys Cavalry while at the YNB Ranch. Ike graduated from the Menaul School and attended UNM. He worked at North American Aircraft during WWII and helped build the sixteen B-25 bombers flown by the “Doolittle Raiders”. Ike finally retired in 1978 from ICX Freightlines.

Ike was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as an excellent role model. He was patient, kind and generous to a fault. Ike was loved by all who knew him, even briefly.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene; second wife, Esther; two daughters, Barbara Ann Cesaretti and Carmen Jeanette Laumbach; both his parents; and all 16 of his siblings. He is survived by two step-daughters, Donna Fossum and Cheryl Graham; six grandchildren, Juli Palladino and husband, Tony Fischer, Nicholas Palladino and fiancé, Audra Torres, Stephen Palladino, Laura Gray, Michael Cesaretti and wife, Donna, and Amy Desoto and husband, Lee; two great-grandchildren, Michael Palladino and Anthony Palladino.

During his last year of life he had a special relationship with his “girls” Kaitlyn, Rachel and Yvette. He went on amazing adventures to places like the zoo, aquarium, casino and museums. He also experienced many firsts – riding the Tram, coloring Easter eggs and watching fireworks to name a few. These “girls” were patient, kind, respectful and loving in their caretaking of him.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, 12:00 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Mr. Laumbach’s name to New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011. Please visit our online guestbook for Ike at www.FrenchFunerals.com.