Larry James Garske

     Larry James Garske, age 78 of Sister Bay, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Jack and Engrid Meng Residence in De Pere, WI.

     Larry was born to Clarence and June (Murphy) Garske on February 13, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School and from UW-Whitewater in 1969. He was a lifelong amateur radio operator with two call signs: K9LG in the United States and DL7LG in Germany.

     Larry had an intense interest in education, particularly the lower grades. This interest led to a lifelong teaching career overseas and in various other countries. He began teaching in Germany at a military base, went to England, Okinawa, and then back to Germany where he met his wife, Martha (Marty). Larry was united in marriage to Martha Ruth Hard, on April 5, 1995, in Aabenraa, Denmark. They enjoyed their life in Germany and took advantage of many activities, including square dancing, volksmarches, the food and the music. They traveled extensively, often deciding at the last minute, to visit a neighboring country for the weekend.  They continued to teach in Germany until their retirement and returned to the United States, settling in Sister Bay, WI.

     Larry spent summers at Peninsula State Park, manning the park entrance, greeting people, and generally enjoying the visitors and being out of doors. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and often helped to deliver glasses to the Lion’s Camp in Rosholt, WI. He loved to fish in North Bay, where his parents had a cottage. Marty and Larry eventually became owners of that cottage and spent many summers enjoying all it had to offer.

     Larry is survived by his loving wife, Martha; daughters, Angela Lozano and Michelle (Mark) Reddinger; grandchildren, Andrew, Nicholas, Jason and Natalie Lozano, and Lauren Reddinger; brother, Robert (Jan) Garske; nephew and niece, Michael Garske and Jennifer Gilbeck.  He is also survived by his stepchildren, Karen Roberts and David Schwarze; and step-grandchildren, Gabriel Roberts, Sophie and Julia Schwarze; and brother-in-law, Wesley Hard; as well as other nieces and nephews.

     Larry was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, Frank and Emma Garske, uncles and aunts, Sonny and June Garske and John and Joyce Mahoney.

      A Memorial Mass for Larry will be held at Stella Maris Catholic Church - Sister Bay Site, Sister Bay, WI on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Thomas Farrell officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

     Memorials may be directed to the Stella Maris Catholic Church, the Door County Library - Sister Bay branch, or the Sister Bay Lion’s Club.

     The Garske family would like to extend a special thank you to Unity Hospice and Jan Malchow, Pastoral Associate of Stella Maris Catholic Church, for the love, support and care of Larry and his family during this time.

     Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Garske family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Larry may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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