Laurence “Larry” E. Braker Jr. 89, of Beaver Dam passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 at the Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
A visitation for Larry will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 511 S. Spring Street, Beaver Dam. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. at church with Father Michael Erwin officiating. Inurnment will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Laurence was born on October 9, 1928 the son of Lawrence and Eleanor (Nowicki) Braker Sr. in Beaver Dam. He was a 1946 graduate of Beaver Dam High School. On July 9, 1951, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Kostolny at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Beaver Dam.
He served his country in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Following his service he attended Wayland Junior College and Oshkosh State Teachers College. Larry had been employed as a salesman for Ripon Good Cookies and co-owned Beaver Cigar and Candy. In 1976, Larry became the co-owner of Beaver Vending and Mountain Fresh Beverage, retiring at the age of 59. He had also been a member of both the National Automatic Merchandisers Association and the Wisconsin Automatic Merchandisers Association.
Larry was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed watching and cheering for Beaver Dam High School Athletics, the Brewers, the Badgers and the Packers. He was an avid golfer and had belonged to the Fox Lake Golf Club and Old Hickory Golf Course. Larry also served on the planning committee for the Town of Beaver Dam.
Larry is survived by his wife of 66 years Lorraine; his four sons: Daniel (Mary) Braker of Beaver Dam, Tom (Stephanie) Braker of Caledonia, Mississippi, David (Diane) Braker and Jim (Sally) Braker both of Beaver Dam; his grandchildren: Kelsey Braker, Alannah Braker, Grant Braker, Davis Braker, Ben Braker, Josey Braker, Stephanie (Tyler) Buss, Katie (Ryan) Arndorff, Katy (David) Drews, Ellie, Angela, Becky, Matthew and Nina; and his four great grandchildren Graham Drews, Lucas Braker, Keenan and Colin Arndroff. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Diane Schultz.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Katharine Drexel Parish or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.
