Obit: Laabs, Myron Kenneth (1949 - 2009)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Bolling, Campbell, Downing, Knospe, Laabs, McCaulley, Ravn, Rostal, Seehafer, Wadzinski, Walencyzk, Wenzlick    
 

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI), Thursday, June 11, 2009, Online Edition 
 

Laabs, Myron Kenneth (February 2, 1949 - June 4, 2009) 
 

Myron Kenneth Laabs, age 60, of Park Falls, Wis., passed into eternal life on June 4, 2009 at Park Manor Nursing Home, Park Falls, Wis., surrounded by family.  
 

He had lived with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), for a little over one year.

 
He was born on February 2, 1949 in Merrill, Wis., son of Marie Wenzlick (maiden Name Walencyzk) and the late Norman Laabs.  
 

He attended Merrill Area Schools and graduated in 1967 from Merrill High School. Myron received a bachelor's degree in industrial technology with a concentration in manufacturing engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis., and continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wis.

 
Myron married Nancy Downing on July 5, 1969 in Merrill, Wis. She passed away on October 24, 2004. He married Mary Jo Rostal on December 16, 2005 in Medford, Wis. She survives.

 
Myron was an avid hunter and loved to spend time in the woods. He was an expert storyteller, sometimes telling the same story over and over again! His famous words as a deer hunter were, "If it's brown, it's down...shoot to kill." He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Park Falls and Fifield. Even after moving into the nursing home, he enjoyed inviting people to come to church. He was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Diaconate Board of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Park Falls. He was the Membership Chairman of the Fifield Lions Club.

 
Before moving to Park Falls, Wis., in February 2009, Myron owned and operated Pine Line Realty in Medford.

 
Myron is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Laabs of Park Falls, Wis.; his mother, Marie Wenzlick of Merrill, Wis.; his mother-in-law, Joan Rostal of Merrill, Wis.; one daughter, Kristin (Dan Wadzinski) Bolling of Wausau, Wis.; four sons, Ted (Rhonda) Laabs of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Christopher (Teiva Campbell) Knospe of Oostburg, Wis., Nathan Knospe of Merrill, Wis., and Benjamin (Trina Ravn) Knospe of Merrill, Wis.; three grandsons, Noah Bolling of Merrill and Wausau, Wis., Daenen Knospe and Finnegan Knospe, of Oostburg, Wis.; two sisters, Tammy (R.J.) McCaulley of St. Mary's, Ga., and Jean (LeRoy) Seehafer of Schofield, Wis.; four brothers, Duane (Darlene) Laabs of Tomahawk, Wis., Rick (Mary) Laabs of Merrill, Wis., Ken (Penny) Wenzlick of Merrill, Wis., and Tim Wenzlick of Tomahawk, Wis.; nieces and nephews; cousins; many friends; and hunting buddies.

 
Myron was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Laabs; his father, Norman Laabs; two brothers, Larry Laabs and Gregory Laabs; and one granddaughter, Sydney Irene Laabs.

 
A Celebration of Myron's life was held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 279 First Ave. N, Park Falls, Wis., on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 1 p.m., with Rev. Dr. Dale G. Kuck officiating.

 
Burial will be at 201 Merrill Memorial Park on Thursday, June 11 at 1 p.m.

 
Instead of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to First Congregational United Church, Park Falls, Wis., First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fifield, Wis., St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill, Wis., or United Church of Christ, Medford, Wis.

 
Our family wishes to thank the staff at Park Manor Nursing Home, Park Falls, Wis., and to Flambeau Home Health and Hospice for their kindness and for the outstanding care provided.

 
Hemer Funeral Home, Medford, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements.