Bruce A. Lawrence, age 71, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., died Jan. 20, 2016, at St. Joseph Hospital, Marshfield, Wis., with his wife Lucy at his side and his son, Daniel, on the way to join them.

Funeral Services were Jan. 25, 2016, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., with Rev. Martin Baur officiating. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Marshfield.

Bruce was born June 17, 1944, in Manitowoc, Wis., to Thomas and Gertrude (Althen) Lawrence. He was baptized on June 11, 1944, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Two Rivers, Wis., and also was confirmed in the Spring of 1958 at the same church. Bruce played basketball and drums in high school and had artistic ability. Bruce attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for four years and was on the cross country team and school choir. He always thanked his parents who encouraged him to make the most of his talents.

Bruce married Lynne Marting and they had three sons, David, Matthew and Daniel. The marriage ended in divorce. Bruce married Lucy Skayer Brunner on Dec. 3, 2004, in the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

Bruce was a physical education teacher in the community of Sauk Prairie and also was the middle school assistant football coach and track coach. During summer months, Bruce painted houses for many years.

After marrying Lucy, Bruce moved to Wisconsin Rapids where he became a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for the past 11 years. There he sang in the adult choir, taught Sunday school and was also a greeter.

Bruce loved gospel music, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Bruce enjoyed sports, especially the Badgers, Packers and Brewers and he also traveled to New York, Branson, Mo., Alaska, and Hawaii and took a southern gospel music cruise to the Bahamas. He enjoyed live theatre and concerts, loved Monday night movies and concerts at the library, playing scrabble, walking in the mall and always enjoyed delivering meals to the seniors.

Bruce’s religion and church family were of utmost importance to him as were his own family. He was a generous man, active physically, was very sociable, kind, sensitive, smart, funny and a gentle guy. He also had excellent self-esteem. Bruce loved food especially delicious apples, a good chicken dinner, ice cream and a beer for lunch.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Lucy; three sons, David (Cindy) Lawrence, Matthew (Wendy) Lawrence and Daniel (Jill) Lawrence; eight grandchildren, Griffin, Desmond, Alex, Andrew, Addison, Aliyah, Aidan and Reese; one brother, Thomas Lawrence ’64 (Maddy (Preus) Lawrence ’64), and one sister, Gail (Craig) Maxwell.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and Aunt Julia Althen.

“Bruce has departed but still lives on forever in our hearts. We will miss him terribly and are happy as he is now, to be with the Lord.”