Charles D. Lau

Service Details

During this time of the continued global health crisis and in accordance with Charlie’s wishes a private memorial service will take place at a later date.

Charles (Charlie) D. Lau, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at Ascension-All Saints Hospital on Sunday, January 2, 2022.  Charlie was born in Detroit, MI on January 28, 1939, the son of the late Alfred and Helen (nee: Morris) Lau.

1962 was a big year for Charlie.  He became a proud papa to his baby girl, Wanda, moved to Racine, and began his career as a machinist at J.I. Case where he retired after 30 years.  He was proud to be a retiree of J.I. Case and always commented how well they took care of him during his career as well as in retirement.

Charlie was a man of many talents.  It was not unusual to find him under the hood of a car repairing the engine, restoring old cars like his ’57 Chevy, or tinkering with motorcycles, lawnmowers or snowblowers.  He was always on the quest for a “fixer upper” and worked relentlessly to get it running, and in the words of Willie Nelson “back on the road again”, where it belonged.  If it had an engine it was “game on” for Charlie.  As time went by Charlie enjoyed sharing his knowledge of cars with his son-in-laws and grandchildren encouraging them to know the basics of car repairs.

Charlie also enjoyed the outdoors.  He was an avid water skier and swimmer during the warm weather months and a hunter come Fall.  Charlie spent many deer hunting seasons, both gun and bow, in the north woods of Wisconsin’s cranberry country in Mather.

In 2006 Charlie met Becky Radtke through a mutual friend at a grieving group, as both had lost their spouses.  After three years of courting Charlie finally convinced Becky to marry him.  They were united in marriage on October 3, 2009 until her death in 2020.  During those years Charlie always enjoyed family gatherings, around the swimming pool, a holiday get-together, or a simple week-end cookout.  He was a gracious host and all were welcome.

Though our memories of Charlie will last forever, he will truly be missed.  Surviving are his daughters, Wanda (Edward) Allen, of Mather, WI, Julie (Gary) Day, of Stanley, WI, Jeri (Peter) David, Janie (Bill) Ertl, all of Racine, and Cindy Lou (Larry) Radcliff, of Yorkville.  He is further survived his nine grandchildren, Kyle (Brooke) Allen, Jacob (Jessica) Allen, Michele Svendson, Tracie (Rico) Mitchell, Penny (Adam) Ellenbecker, Renee (John) Corveleyn, Kelli Lyn (Geeon) Leo, Krista Lee (Joe) Davis, and Karli Louise Hudec; as well as twenty-four great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Carol Lau, in Michigan.  In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Charlie was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Lau.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Nicole, Larissa, Holly, Angie and Lindsay, the nurses at Ascension All Saints 2^nd Floor that provided unending care and compassion for Charlie during his illness.