On Jan. 17, 2010, the Lord called Lawrence “Larry” W. Hamburg, 98, of Elroy to his heavenly home. He died after a short stay at the Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston, surrounded by his loved ones.
Lawrence was born April 21, 1911, in Wonewoc to Henry and Anna (Raese) Hamburg. On June 21, 1938, he was united in marriage to Grace Burgdorff, of Mauston, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wonewoc.
Larry was born and raised on a farm near Wonewoc and he worked for a variety of people, doing various jobs during the Depression. As such, he became very knowledgeable in many areas, from farming to carpentry, masonry, etc.
He and his cousin, Bill Degner, owned and operated the Elroy Bakery for several years. In the 1940s, he went into the hardware business, owning and operating Hamburg Hardware in Elroy for many years, until he retired.
He was a longtime, faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Elroy, where he served as a council member for many years. He loved going to church and hearing about his savior. He enjoyed music and could play the accordion and harmonica. In his younger years, he and his brothers had a dance band and traveled to many local events to play. When he wasn’t playing in the band, he loved to dance. His children and grandchildren loved to listen to his many fascinating stories of his youth and different life situations. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his two daughters, Jane Hamburg of Wausau and Sherry (Bill) Board of Elroy; two sons, Daniel Hamburg of Wisconsin Rapids and Lanny Hamburg of Elroy; five grandchildren, Ken (Tami) Board of North Mankato, Minn., Steve (Jessica) Board of Richland Center, Kristin (Jon) Duhr of Horicon, Wis., Lisa (Sam) Koniar of Muskego, Wis., and Lori (Ben) Meyer of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; six great-grandchildren, Austin Colsch, Ella and Adelyn Board, Alexis and Bryce Duhr, and Aurelia Meyer; two sisters, Leola Birkholz and Marion (Floyd) Pagel; a sister-in-law, Judy Hamburg; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace, on Aug. 7, 1994; three brothers, Harold, Ervin and Herbert Hamburg; a sister, Elnora Erickson; and two infant sons.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Zion Lutheran Church in Elroy, with Rev. Conrad Prell officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in the Elroy City Cemetery after the service. The Picha Funeral Home in Elroy is assisting. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
