Obituary: Lawrence "Larry" W. Post, Sr.

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Lawrence "Larry" W. Post, Sr., age 77, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002. He was born on May 8, 1924, in Madison, the son of Adolph and Alma Post. He married Virginia "Ginny" Hanley on Feb. 6, 1947, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Madison, where they are still members. Larry attended Madison Central High School and entered military service in 1943. He was a Heavy Weapons NCO with the 106th Infantry Division and fought in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge near Schonberg, Belgium where he was seriously wounded and captured on Dec. 16, 1944. He was a prisoner of war for four months until he was liberated on April 15, 1945. Larry was awarded both the Purple Heart and Silver Star for courage in battle. He was a member of VFW Post #7591, American Legion Post #501, DAV Chapter 2, as well as the past local commander for the Badger Chapter - POW. Larry and Ginny attended numerous annual reunions of the 106th Division including Ariz., Fla., S.C., Va., Mo., Ill., and Ind., and the most recent reunion which was held in Washington, DC just days before the Sept. 11th "terrorist attack" on the Pentagon. Larry was employed at the University of Wisconsin-residence halls for 28 years. He and Virginia retired in 1986. Larry enjoyed woodworking projects in his workshop, creating beautiful furniture pieces for family and friends and enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona and Alabama to see his wartime buddy, Calvin and his family. He was also an avid photographer. In addition to Virginia, his wife of 55 years, survivors include his sons, Larry Jr. (Betty) of Sun Prairie, Tom (Vicki) of Mt. Horeb, David of Madison; his daughters, Mary (Bob) Pankratz and Theresa of Madison; his grandsons, Paul (Sue) of Lodi, Todd (friend, Michelle) of Madison; his great-grandson, Ryley James Post; close friend, Joyce Gausmann, and her sons, John and Jaimie; his sisters, Dorothy (Bernard) Hahn, Evelyn (Stan) Gallagher, and Marie all of Madison; his sisters-in-law, Margaret Nelson, Rosemary Halzel and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens cemetery. Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at the GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive where a military pass and review will be conducted by the VFW Post #7591 at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call on Wednesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be sent to Llew Bredeson, Treasurer, Ex-POW's, 406 Frost Woods, Monona, Wis., 53716. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 4, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)