Lawrence J. Furtak, age 86, of Merrill, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 7, 2016 at Touchstone Living Center in North Fond du Lac. He was born August 9, 1930, in Butternut, WI to John & Matilda (Preisner) Furtak. Lawrence served in the Army from 1954–1956. On May 7, 1960, he married Marilyn Hasenorhl. Marilyn preceded him in death on March 22, 1995. Lawrence had worked as a cement mason for Luterback Construction for most of his career. He and his wife had also owned Furtak Grocery Store in St. Peter, Wisconsin from 1977-1983. He was a man with many trades and never afraid to try new things; Lawrence loved children and helped out with babysitting. He loved putting together puzzles, traveling and visiting relatives, watching Brewers and Packers, going to casinos, bird-watching and four-wheeling. He loved working in his big garden which he ended giving most of it away. Those he leaves behind include his six sons, Mark (Lydia) Furtak, Lee (Lori) Furtak, Mike (Janet) Furtak, Larry (Charla) Furtak, Scott Furtak and Steve Furtak; twelve grandchildren, Luke, Emily, Abigail, Tyler, Caleb,Josh, Lauren, Nicholas, Aric, Randi, Nicole and Jason; two great-grandchildren, Haven and Asher; his sister, Mary Pfannerstill and two sisters-in-law, Virginia Furtak and Lorraine Furtak. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding Lawrence in death were his parents; his wife, Marilyn; six brothers, Walter, Joe, Frank, Tony, Stanley and Adam; and six sisters, Ann Dzikowski, Stephanie Milanowski, Angeline Rybek, Frances Miller, Victoria Billing and Sophia Mika. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, November 11, 2016, at Holy Family Parish-St. Peter Church in St. Peter, W3698 County Road WH Malone, WI 53049. Lawrence will be laid to rest next to his wife at St. Cecelia Cemetery in Butternut, Wisconsin. Visitation: Family and friends may greet the family at the church in St. Peter on Friday, November 11th from 4:00 PM until 5:45 PM. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, WI (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net Lawrence's family extends their heart-felt appreciation to Matt and Cindy at Touchstone Living Center and their dedicated staff, Agnesian Hospice Hope and Mary from Visiting Angels. Special thanks to all of Lawrence's neighbors and friends for all their love and support.