Gerhard "Junior" Lau, age 81, of Potter, went home to be with our Lord Saturday, September 28, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. He was born July 28, 1932 in Brillion, son of the late Gerhard Sr. and Rachel (Wenzel) Lau. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army stationed in Korea 1954-1956. On June 22, 1957 Junior married Carolyne Riemer. He was employed by Long Lake Cheese Factory, Schwan's, Rent-A-Truck, Saunders and Ryder. He was a member of the American Legion Post #126 as well as Trinity Lutheran Church Council and School Board, Potter Fire Department, Community Association and Potter Athletic Association. He was one of the organizers of the Potter Youth baseball program. He was also an active church usher. He enjoyed playing cards and games, fishing, spending time at the pond, watching Wisconsin athletics including high school, college and professional teams, being a part of the Potter clowns, attending the annual Gospel Fest and helping family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carolyne, their three children: Nancy (Mark) Sweere, Kirkland, WA; John (Lisa) Lau, Hilbert; Barb (Larry) Mirsberger, Hilbert. Nine grandchildren: Nathan, Jordan, Aliah and Conner Sweere; Garrett, Aaron and Halley Lau; Angela and Kylee Mirsberger. Brother: Alex (Elaine) Lau and sisters: Dorothy Koffarnus, Phyllis (Wayne) Koffarnus, Erdine (Roger) Schultz. Two brother-in-laws: Ronald Bessert and Robert Schaff. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, a sister Emogene, brother-in-law Ralph Koffarnus, two sister-in-laws Arlene Bessert and Ann Schaff and a nephew Alan Bessert. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Rantoul with the Rev. Tim Benninghoff officiating. Friends may visit at Wieting Funeral Home, Brillion, on Wednesday, October 2, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com
