Lawrence M. Stockhausen, age 92, of West Bend, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at Synergy Health St. Joseph's Hospital, Town of Polk.
He was born on August 1, 1917 in the Town of Trenton to the late John and Cecilia (nee Thull) Stockhausen. On June 1, 1946 he was united in marriage to Vivian Fischer at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg.
They made their home in West Bend where they started their construction firm, Lawrence Stockhausen, Inc., which specialized in building and developing residential properties. In the Town of Trenton, Lawrence developed the Maple Dale, Springdale Estates, and Maple Dale North subdivisions. He honored his family by naming streets after them. In 2007, a park was named in his honor, the Lawrence Stockhausen Town of Trenton Park.
Lawrence enjoyed a challenge and over the years used his talents and resources to help various local nonprofit organizations, the Threshold, Inc., Holy Angels Catholic Church, the West Bend Builders Association, and the Washington Street Group Home.
From little on, agriculture was in his blood. One of his favorite pastimes was being out on the family farm feeding the livestock and overseeing the soybean, sweet corn and alfalfa crops. When his wife Vivian could get him away they traveled internationally and throughout the United States.
Lawrence loved to party and socialize with friends especially at Green Lake campground, singing old time songs around the campfire. He was fond of polka music and enjoyed dancing with his many friends.
Lawrence was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. He helped for many years on their Building and Grounds Committee and annually donated his prize pig to the parish festival.
He will be greatly missed by his six children who looked up to him as a mentor and an example of hard work and generosity.
Lawrence is survived by his six children: David Stockhausen, Linda (Andy) Gehring, Curtis (Dale) Stockhausen, Dennis Stockhausen, Terry (Janet) Stockhausen, all of West Bend, and Annette Stockhausen (Richard Koller) of Las Vegas, NV; seven grandchildren: Dominic Gehring, Spring Gehring, Alex Kain, Elizabeth Kain, Nate Stockhausen, Erinn Stockhausen, and Carolyn Stockhausen, four step-grandchildren, Karen (John) Sauer, Robert (Jackie) Koller, Kathy (Randy) Handel, and Kelly (Tony) Barth; and 12 great-grandchildren; He is further survived by two brothers: Vincent (Janet) Stockhausen, and Merlin (Donna) Stockhausen, both of West Bend; one sister: Bernadine Wollner of West Bend; two sisters-in-law: Irmtraut Stockhausen and Eleanore Fischer both of West Bend; many nieces, nephews and special friends.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife; Vivian (April 12, 2006); three brothers: Francis Stockhausen, Jerome Stockhausen and Cyril Stockhausen; and a granddaughter, Rebecca Stockhausen.
A Mass of Christian Burial in remembrance of Lawrence will be held on Saturday, February 13th at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church (138 N. 8th Ave.). Rev. Jerry Brittain will be the celebrant and burial will take place in Holy Angels Cemetery on Monday, Feb. 15th at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday, Feb. 13th, from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the the Threshold, Inc. would be appreciated.
The family would like to convey their special thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who so generously provided loving care and undivided kindness to Lawrence over the years.