Lawrence J Michel

Michel, Lawrence (Larry) age 93, passed peacefully into his next adventure November 19 with less than $5.00 in his pocket, as he wished. He wanted to spend every last nickel and slide into heaven saying wow, what a ride! He will be remembered for his practical jokes, stories of life on the farm in Mackey Valley, entertaining friends and family playing bartender—making the best Brandy Old Fashioneds! He was an instigator of fun for his 7 children, who grew up all over the Midwest, his 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He loved to make people laugh and it has been said, if you didn’t have fun with Larry, there was something wrong with you! The love of his life, Helen, supported most of his antics, correcting when necessary. They were married for 73 years, meeting in Spooner, Wisconsin when he spontaneously serenaded her on her 17th birthday. She moved with him through Graduate school at the University of Minnesota, first jobs at Hamm's brewery, the Emporium and then on to Stevens Point with Hardware Mutual Insurance Company (later Sentry Insurance). This was a start of 37 years in sales and sales management that took them to Madison, Wisconsin, Lexington, Kentucky, Kansas City, Kansas, Rockford, Illinois and back to Stevens Point. He retired, built his home “up north” on beautiful Des Moines Lake and spent winters on the ocean in Satellite Beach, Florida. He golfed, walked 5 miles a day on the beach, was an official whale watcher, danced at any opportunity and made friends wherever he went. Larry was a proud veteran of the US Navy, joining at age 17 as a Pharmacist Mate third class. He traveled to San Diego, Seattle, Adak, Alaska, and across the lower 48 escorting patients to hospitals closer to their homes. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, The American Legion, The Elks and Tau Kappa Epsilon. He was one of a kind, loved by all and will be greatly missed. He will always be a part of us. Rest in peace. We love you. He is survived by his wife Helen, children Terri (Jeff Laramie), Mark (Jill), Judy (Efrian) Arizpe, Cindy (Armin) Nebel, David, Steve (Kristine) and Dan (Charlotte), his sister Kathleen (Jack) Brown and sister-in-law Elaine (Dick) Michel. He is predeceased by his brothers George, Father Eugene, Dick, his sister Marion (Barney) Honer and his daughter-in-law, Diane (David). A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am, Tuesday December 7, 2021 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Parish church, Madison, Wi. For the safety of everyone, face masks are required.