Lawrence C. Linderbaum
Lawrence C. Linderbaum, 100, passed away on March 23, 2021, at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital surrounded by family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 9, from 5-7 p.m. at the Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona and one hour before services at the funeral home on Saturday. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, conducted by Rev. Lynn Noel.
Burial will be in the Monona Cemetery, Monona.
He was born Dec. 2, 1920, to Charles F. and Alma (Pliester) Linderbaum on the family farm north of Castalia. Lawrence was baptized at Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church in Castalia on May 5, 1921, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana. He received his education at Moneek Country School No. 5 in Bloomfield Township, rural Castalia.
On Feb. 15, 1942, he was united in marriage to Evelyn F. Dunning in Decorah. They were almost inseparable for over 75 years until her death in 2017.
After Lawrence and Evelyn were married, they farmed near Castalia. In 1946, they moved to an acreage west of Monona, residing there for 59 years until they retired to Monona in 2005. In 2015, Lawrence was the first resident to move into the new Eagle Ridge Independent and Assisted Living in Guttenberg.
Lawrence owned and operated his own truck, hauling limestone from 1946 until 1955, at which time he began hauling canned milk. Later that year, he bought one of the first privately-owned bulk milk truck route, serving the Luana Swiss Valley Plant, and picked up milk from local farmers until his retirement in December of 1982.
Lawrence loved playing cards, and was an expert at “shooting the moon” in Euchre. In the summers, he and Evelyn maintained an immaculate lawn and two very large vegetable gardens, and enjoyed spending time fishing on the Mississippi River. After retiring to Monona, he enjoyed visits from friends and neighbors, especially when they gathered on the lawn in front of the house for some great conversation. Lawrence was known for making and sharing pickled eggs, minced meat pie, and of course, beef jerky.
Lawrence was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Luana, and served on the church council.
Family was the essence of Lawrence’s life. He was a loving father, a devoted grandfather, and a proud great-grandfather. He was selfless, giving, and never too busy to spend time with his family. Lawrence looked forward to family gatherings and visits, especially from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He made each one feel special, and memories of him will be treasured always.
This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts, and will be very missed by those left behind: daughter, Nancy Drahn (Douglas) of Oakdale, Minn.; son, Dale Linderbaum (friend Karin Bahls) of Monona; four granddaughters, Andrea Barrett (Sean) of Lakeville, Minn.; Anissa Young (Brock) of Lake Elmo, Minn.; Sarah Kilburg (Mark) of Ryan; Jennifer Huinker (Eric) of Grimes; nine great-grandchildren, Abbie White (Anthony); Evan Barrett; Evelyn, Joseph, and Samuel Young; Jacob and Elizabeth Kilburg; Kaylee and Allen Huinker; brother-in-law, LaVerne Cook of Postville; many nieces and nephews.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife; infant son, Gary; his daughter-in-law, Mary Linderbaum; six brothers, Carl, Walter, Earl, Edward, Arthur, and Charles Jr.; five sisters, Clara Cutting, Elsie Hughes, Lydia Cook, Jennie Clement, and Alma Burreson; brother-in-law, Leslie Dunning; and sister-in-law, Marian Cook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, or a charity of choice.
