Lawrence H. Karlen, age 81 of Monroe, formerly of Monticello, died Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital following an extended illness.
Lawrence was born April 22, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant Township, the son of Herman G. and Agnes M. (Lawrence) Karlen.
He graduated from Monticello High School in 1945 and married his high school sweetheart, Marian Trumpy, on September 21, 1947 at the Zwingli UCC in Monticello.
They farmed in Mt. Pleasant Township for 38 years before retiring and moving to Monroe. Lawrence also worked as an insurance agent for Northwest Mutual Life and was employed part time at the Swiss Colony.
He was a life long member of Zwingli UCC where he served on the tape ministry. He was a member of the New Glarus Masonic Lodge Chapter #108, Monroe and Monticello Lions Clubs, Monroe Moose Lodge #754, served on the Green County Long Term Care Committee and as a Boy Scout and 4H Leader.
Lawrence was actively involved in the community serving as treasurer for various organizations such as Monticello School Board, Historic Cheesemaking Center, Swiss and Limburger Cheese Assoc., and the Northside Cheese COOP.
Lawrence loved spending time with his family. He was a master woodworker, making many pieces of furniture for his family, church, and friends, and enjoyed traveling with Marian to many locations.
Survivors include his wife, Marian Karlen of Monroe; three sons, Douglas (Linn) Karlen of Polk City, Iowa, Darcy (Donna) Karlen of Olathe, KS, and Daniel (Nancy) Karlen of Monticello; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jim) Long, Steven, Holly, Charles, Jenna, Jacob, and Dana Karlen; a brother, Royal (Betty) Karlen of Monroe; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Karlen of Madison; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1995, his father in 1999, and a brother, Donald in 1995.
A Masonic service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello, followed by funeral services at noon. Rev. Lawrence Balleine will officiate with interment to follow in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. A visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Lawrence's name. The Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Lawrence was born April 22, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant Township, the son of Herman G. and Agnes M. (Lawrence) Karlen.
He graduated from Monticello High School in 1945 and married his high school sweetheart, Marian Trumpy, on September 21, 1947 at the Zwingli UCC in Monticello.
They farmed in Mt. Pleasant Township for 38 years before retiring and moving to Monroe. Lawrence also worked as an insurance agent for Northwest Mutual Life and was employed part time at the Swiss Colony.
He was a life long member of Zwingli UCC where he served on the tape ministry. He was a member of the New Glarus Masonic Lodge Chapter #108, Monroe and Monticello Lions Clubs, Monroe Moose Lodge #754, served on the Green County Long Term Care Committee and as a Boy Scout and 4H Leader.
Lawrence was actively involved in the community serving as treasurer for various organizations such as Monticello School Board, Historic Cheesemaking Center, Swiss and Limburger Cheese Assoc., and the Northside Cheese COOP.
Lawrence loved spending time with his family. He was a master woodworker, making many pieces of furniture for his family, church, and friends, and enjoyed traveling with Marian to many locations.
Survivors include his wife, Marian Karlen of Monroe; three sons, Douglas (Linn) Karlen of Polk City, Iowa, Darcy (Donna) Karlen of Olathe, KS, and Daniel (Nancy) Karlen of Monticello; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jim) Long, Steven, Holly, Charles, Jenna, Jacob, and Dana Karlen; a brother, Royal (Betty) Karlen of Monroe; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Karlen of Madison; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1995, his father in 1999, and a brother, Donald in 1995.
A Masonic service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello, followed by funeral services at noon. Rev. Lawrence Balleine will officiate with interment to follow in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. A visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Lawrence's name. The Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net