Lawrence William Wichmann

Lawrence Wichmann age 94 of Balaton, MN died Saturday, December 5, 2009 at his home. Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 10, 2009 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Lawrence William Wichmann was born May 27, 1915 to Albert and Augusta (Stibbe) Wichmann in Balaton, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton. Lawrence attended Balaton Public Schools and graduated from Balaton High School in 1933. As a junior, he was a member and team captain, on the Balaton High School Basketball Team in 1932 that went to the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament. As a young man he farmed with his family. On November 9, 1941 Lawrence married Elenora Sprenger in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and they made their home on a farm south of Balaton in Skandia Township. They remained on the farm until 1979 when they moved into Balaton, but Lawrence continued to work on the farm as long as he could, never really retiring from farming. Lawrence was a very active member in both his church and community. He was a life-long member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and served as its first lay person, served as president of the congregation and as president of the Young People of St. Peter. He also sang in the church choir and served as caretaker of St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery for close to 50 years. In his community, his involvement was also felt, as president of Rock Lake Township Farm Bureau, president of Lyon County Farm Bureau, president of Central Livestock Association, president of the Balaton Sportsman’s Club, and served as treasurer on the Balaton School Board. He enjoyed ice fishing and spearing, deer hunting, splitting wood for the wood burner, juicing apples and spending time with his family. On Saturday, December 5, 2009 Lawrence died at his home in Balaton, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 94. Lawrence is survived by his three sons, Lynn (Kim) Wichmann of Balaton, MN, Lyle Wichmann of North Mankato, MN, and Lowell (Peggy) Wichmann of Balaton, MN; one daughter, Ruth Ann (Leon) Johnson of Okabena, MN; ten grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and many friends. His infant daughter, Lavon, parents, and two brothers, Wallace and George Wichmann preceded him in death.