Roger LaPratt Lansing Obituary: A Life of Love & Legacy

Roger LaPratt passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, surrounded by his family after a short stay in the ICU. He was 80.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Delta Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Family visitation will begin that same day at noon.

A Life Full of Love and Loyalty

Roger was a lifelong fan of the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and especially Michigan State basketball—always shouting, “Go Green!” He loved traveling, telling clever one-liners, sipping his coffee black, playing with dogs, and getting lost in a good book.

Above all, Roger loved his family: his wife of 58 years, Holly, who passed away in January 2024, his four children—Brad (Michelle), Adam, Marcus (Sylvia), and Lora Teel (Josh)—and his four grandchildren, Lina, Teya, Anya, and Cort.

From Lansing to Houston and Back

Born and raised in Lansing, Roger only left for a short time in the 1970s when he and Holly lived in Houston, where he earned his law degree from the University of Houston.

After starting their family, they returned to Lansing, where Roger worked for decades as a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser. Known for his strong work ethic, he often put in 70-hour weeks but never missed a school event or family trip. Summers were always spent at Torch Lake, which later became his retirement haven.

A Family Man and Community Builder

Roger’s home was often buzzing with activity—kids’ friends, projects, and creative chaos. Despite being a man who valued quiet, he welcomed it all and made sure everyone felt at home.

He supported his children’s arts and sports, coached soccer, joined Rotary, and helped found Delta Presbyterian Church. Through it all, he offered steady, unconditional encouragement.

His devotion to his wife Holly was especially clear. For years, he stood faithfully by her side through medical challenges, driving her to countless appointments and caring for her with patience and love.

Simple Joys and Big Adventures

Roger loved homemade pies, sugar cookies, goulash, and Holly’s spaghetti. He enjoyed card games, reading presidential biographies at sunset on Torch Lake, and planning his next big adventure.

Roger is survived by his children and grandchildren, his niece Sheryl Dennison, nephew Rick Cederwall, and several sisters-in-law, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Holly, his parents Gladys and Fred, his sister Shirley, and several in-laws.

The family summed up Roger and Holly’s life together in one line: “Holly and Roger, together, built a life filled with countless world-travel adventures and love.”

Honoring Roger and Holly

Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Holly LaPratt Creativity Memorial Award through the Waverly Education Foundation, 515 Snow Road, Lansing, MI 48917 (Memo: Holly LaPratt Creativity).

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is a journalist and real estate writer who covers Houston’s evolving property market with a sharp eye for local trends and investor dynamics. He focuses on how shifting prices, interest rates, and migration patterns shape the city’s real estate future.

He has interviewed leading real estate professionals to bring readers first-hand insights into Houston’s changing market—from rising investor activity to the influence of social media on property buying.