LAWRENCE WALTERAITIS, age 88, of Thorp, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 12, 2022 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI.

     Lawrence was born on April 25, 1933, in Thorp, WI to Anton and Victoria (Luzinski) Walteraitis.  He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Pozen School in the Town of Withee.  Lawrence served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  After returning from the service, he worked as a welder in Milwaukee, WI until his marriage to Sandra Mae Vetterkind on December 27, 1958 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp.  They farmed in the Town of Reseburg and Lawrence also worked as an assistant cheese maker at Blue Moon Cheese Factory in Thorp for more than 30 years.  He retired from Blue Moon Cheese Factory in 1995 and continued to be active in farming practices until his passing.  He was a member of the Thorp American Legion Post 118.  

     Lawrence had many interests, but especially enjoyed spending time with his family, going to auctions, tinkering on equipment and working on the farm.

     He is survived by his four children: Penney (Gary) Abramowicz of Manitowoc, WI, Rebecca (Scott) Feil of Manistee, MI, Candace (Donald) Ouimet of Cornell, WI and Larry (Traci) Walteraitis of Thorp; eight grandchildren: Cory (Christine) Abramowicz of Westmont, IL, Kevin (Leah) Abramowicz of Chicago, IL, Courtney (Steve) McCullough of Lakeville, MN, Brandon Woodford (Julee Adams) of Oakland, TN, Kayla Feil (Steve Smrt) of Oak Park, IL, Katelynn Feil of Manistee, MI, Lucas and Tori Walteraitis of Thorp; four great-grandchildren: Reagan, Rory and Riley Abramowicz, and Ella Feil; two sisters: Evelyn Schmidt of Westerville, OH, and Theresa Burzinski of Westmont, IL; one sister-in-law: Nancy Graski of Withee, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sandra; and one brother, Alvin Graski; 

     Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 5pm to 8pm, and again on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 9:30am.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am at the Thorp Funeral Home with  Rev. Baskaran Sandhiyagu officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be: Cory Abramowicz, Kevin Abramowicz, Steve Smrt, Brandon Woodford, Steve McCullough and Lucas Walteraitis.  Honorary pallbearers will be: Kayla Feil, Katelynn Feil, Courtney McCullough and Tori Walteraitis.