Kenneth W. Lawrence, 81, Wausau passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11, 2021 while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
He was born January 3, 1940 in Wausau, son of the late Wilbur and Alice (Kittel) Lawrence. Ken attended and graduated from Wausau High School in 1959. After a short time in vocational school he decided to serve his country. Ken proudly served in the Navy from 1960 to 1964 on the USS Forestal. He met his wife, Mary, in 1964, and on August 21, 1965 he married Mary Thompson at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. She continues to reside in the home where they raised their two daughters.
In his earlier years Ken was a delivery driver for the former Stueber’s Dairy. After that he went to work for Gardner Bakery until his retirement. Ken was active in bowling, playing on a weekly league and tournaments, and playing cards with his father and mother in law was a weekly event. He enjoyed Friday fish fry at Paul’s Valley Inn and loved old fashions. Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, puzzles, Sunday drives and yearly family vacations up north. Ken loved spending time with his grandchildren no matter what they wanted to do. Sunday breakfasts, watching baseball games, dance recitals, school concerts, coloring books, sharing his love of Military service in the Navy.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lawrence, Wausau, his daughters, Jennifer (Jeffrey) See, Weston and Katherine (Todd) Freiberg, Yorkville, Illinois, five grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Steve) Stark, Meghan See, Jeffrey, Alex and Sydney Freiberg, one great grandson, Logan Stark, one brother, Tom (Jody) Lawrence, Schofield and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 19, 2021 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Inurnment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau where full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Plant Dudley Post #10, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Social distancing guidelines will be in place as well as facemasks required by all who attend. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
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