Louie "Dr. Lou" Ursu, 86, of Traverse City passed away Friday, December 4, 2020 at Cherry Hill Haven.
Dr. Lou was born in Romania to the late Marion and Livia (Beseneautn) Ursu on January 21, 1934. Dr. Lou and his family escaped from Romania when he was very young. They traveled by train and boat through France, across the English Channel and across the Atlantic. A German U-boat stopped them at one point and searched their boat. They escorted a few people off the boat but his family made it through that scare. Lou's mom was a very organized woman and took great care of her family. They traveled to the US with only two wicker trunks. One of the trunks was filled with dried meats and canned fruits. She took care to be sure they would be well fed on the journey to the US.
Dr. Lou married the love of his life, Doris Margaret Medel on June 21, 1958 in Grosse Point, MI. Together they shared a wonderful life together.
Dr. Lou was a dentist in Traverse City for over 40 dedicated years. He was very generous as a dentist and provided a lot of pro bono care or care for trade. Dr. Lou was a member of the American Dental Association and the Arts Council. He was considered a renaissance man by many and enjoyed being a Bonsai artist, painter, master gardener, baker, teddy bear maker, bible teacher, singer in the choir and a golfer. In his younger years he volunteered a great deal at the Romanian Baptist Church in Detroit.
Surviving Dr. Lou is his wife Doris of almost 63 devoted years, son Brian (Joan) Ursu of Leland, grandchildren, Leland, Olivia, Christopher, and Maggie, and exchange granddaughter Elizabeth from Ghana, siblings Evita Ursu and Samuel (Evelyn) Ursu and many other loving family members and friends.
Dr. Lou is preceded in death by his parents and son's Jeffery and David.
A memorial service will be held in the Gardens at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home at 11am on Monday, June 21, 2021. Pastor Jack Steenbergh will officiate.