Surnames: Zurakowski, Lisiecki, Posda, Clarke, Narlock, Heinrich, Kilmer, Schmidt, Tienda, Grendzinski, Skwierczynski, Barrales, Apfelbeck

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) December 17, 2008

Zurakowski, Lawrence John (27 October, 1924 - 12 December 2008)

Lawrence J. Zurakowski, age 84, of Thorp, died at the Clark County Health Care Center, in Owen, on Friday, December 12, 2008.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Fr. Keith Apfelbeck officiated and burial followed in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Austin Zurakowski, Derek Zurakowski, Ryan Zurakowski, Mark Grendzinski, Mike Heinrich, Ken Skwierczynski and Margie Barrales.

Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary service.

Lawrence John Zurakowski was born on October 27, 1924 in the Town of Reseburg, Clark County, to Walter and Phyllis (Lisiecki) Zurakowski. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Gulf school. As a young man, Larry moved to Chicago for a short time before returning to the Thorp area. He was united in marriage to Ethel J. Posda on June 28, 1947, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. They farmed in the Town of Reseburg for more than 50 years. Besides farming, Larry worked was an auctioneer, painted barns, delivered Rippin’ Good Cookies, had his own milk route for 25 years, managed the Mile-A-Way Bar and Dance Hall in Thorp, and really enjoyed and truly missed owning and operating Larry’s Service Station in Thorp for 27 years.

He had many interests, but especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and being with people.

He will be sadly missed by his six children: Ronald L. (Zurakowski) Clarke of Phoenix, AZ, Shirley M. Narlock of Mosinee, WI, Gary R. (Lisa) Zurakowski of Mosinee, WI. Beverly E. (Bernie) Heinrich of Hatley, WI, Sharon R. (Leonard) Kilmer of Thorp, and Darrel G. Zurakowski of Thorp; sixteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; two sisters: Amelia Schmidt of Milwaukee, and Phyllis Tienda of Chicago; one sister-in-law, Frances Zurakowski of Stanley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ethel, on March 10, 2003; one daughter, Connie S. Zurakowski; and one brother, John Zurakowski.