Lawrence “Larry” Tank, age 81, of Gleason, passed away Monday, February 22, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born November 22, 1934 in Butternut, Wisconsin to the late Arnold and Helena (Gruber) Tank. Larry and Sandy exchanged vows on June 27, 1959 in Eau Claire, a union lasting 56 years. She survives.
Larry attended and graduated from Butternut High School. He went on to vocational school where he majored in the automotive program. Larry proudly served his country in the Army, Company A 32nd Division during the Berlin Crisis and the National Guard for 23 years. He worked at Monroe Motors and KB Body Shop. He then owned and operated Larry’s Auto Body Shop and Used Car Sales for 36 years in Merrill until his retirement. He enjoyed camping and traveling – especially car rides – seeing the country. Larry was a very handy man who was also very good working with cars and motors. He was very involved with St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Bloomville for over 10 years. Larry was a life member of Knights of Columbus where he was also a past president. He had also been a past president of the Merrill Optimist Club and a past member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish in Merrill. Larry was chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Party for 6 years, a member of a community club in Gleason, a life member of the Tomahawk American Legion where he was an honor guard member and a member of the parish finance council at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife: Sandra Tank, Gleason; son: Russell Tank, Gleason; daughter: Maxine (Kenneth) Kane, Gleason; three grandchildren: Andrew (Shannon) Kane, Irma, Krystal (Jimmy) Bosinke, Gleason, and Jesse Lawrence Kane, Merrill; four great-grandchildren: William Kane, Brock Erickson, Jayden Kane and Bryana Kane; and his loving dog: Zena. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Funeral Mass for Larry will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, February 26, 2016 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Bloomfield. Father Chris Kemp will perform the funeral Mass. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Waid Funeral Home and again from 10:30 AM until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will follow in St. John The Baptist Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by Tomahawk Honor Guard. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.