His life began on March 8, 1927. He was born at home in the Town of Bern, at Gad. He learned at a young age, the meaning of hard work. His parents owned the Gad Bar, which at one time included a General Store, Dance Hall, Baseball Diamond and a family farm. At age 18, he entered the US Army, just days after his high school graduation in 1945. His tour of duty enabled him to see Africa, France, Belgium and Germany. He often talked about being a WW II Veteran and Dad did get to enjoy a trip on the ”Never Forgotten Honor Flight” on October 4, 2010. He said “What a homecoming they gave us at the airport.” He was impressed how they really honored the veterans.
After the war, Dad came home and found his sweetheart, Betty J. Knorr. They were married June 10, 1950 and shared 58 ½ years together. One of their favorite past times was dancing of all sorts, especially the Fox Trot. They also frequently sold vegetables from their gardens, at the farmer’s market in Medford and Marshfield. They were life-long members of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford. They were inseparable until January 5, 2009, when we lost Mom. It broke his heart. He told us that if he could warn us kids of one thing in life, it would be of how heartbreaking it is to lose your spouse.
Dad was a Life Member of the Stetsonville American Legion and the North American Hunting Club. He enjoyed farming, dancing, polka music, gardening, hunting and fishing.
Dad had a full life by raising five children on the family farm. We are Peggy (Darrell) Korth of Fort Atkinson, Larry (Wenda Schwoch) of Minneapolis, MN, Lenard (Pat Short) of Medford, Donna (Darwin) Zielke of Medford and Irene (Greg) Griepentrog of Marshfield.
His grandchildren are Jacob (Amy) Korth, Adam (Charity) Korth, Luke (Melissa) Korth, Laura (Ervin) Ulrich, Lee (Jessica Murphy) Schlais, Linda Wittenberger, Malinda Zielke, Eric (Aydee) Zielke, Sarah Zielke, Erin (Jessie) Edwards and Tyler (Barbie) Griepentrog.
His great grandchildren are Desirae, Emma, EJ, Lily, Isaac, Alice, Amira, Ayana, Adelei, Brynlee, Brecken and Annika.
Also surviving are siblings, Harold Schlais of Abbotsford, Galen (Grace) Schlais of Medford and Marvel Jean (Merlin) Kobs of Spencer. He is further survived by sisters-in-law, Jenny Knorr of Marion, NC and Margaret Schlais of Wausau. And lastly his yellow lab, Toby.
He was predeceased by his wife, Betty, his parents Lawrence Sr. and Ella (Busche) Schlais, siblings, Glen and Patricia Schlais. His brothers/sisters-in-law, Jeanette (Bud) Wedeman, Grace (Herme) Pagel, Roy (Cordy) Knorr and Reuben Knorr.
With Dad being a farmer all his life and he loved to watch things grow, we are asking in lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Dad’s honor.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Medford with military rites to follow. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of services at 11 AM at the church.
We will miss you, our mentor.
Love, Your Family
