Ronald Lau, age 86, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home with his wife by his side and surrounded by family.
Ronald Lamont Lau was born June 26, 1936, in Norfolk, Nebraska, one of five children born to Fred and Linda (Winter) Lau. As an infant he was baptized in the Lutheran faith and later confirmed.
Growing up, Ron attended school in Clearwater Nebraska, where he graduated in 1954. Following high school, he joined the United States Navy and served as a Navy Corpsman to the U. S. Marines at Camp
Pendleton, California. After his military service, he returned to Nebraska and married his high school sweetheart and childhood friend, Janice Johnson. They were married on July 21, 1957 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Nebraska. They were blessed with 5 children and loved one another throughout their 66 years of marriage.
Ron attended University of Nebraska and Wayne State College where he finished his teaching degree in 1961. He attended post graduate summer classes at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL and University of Iowa. He taught science classes at Saint Patrick High School in North Platte and Shelby Tennant High School in Shelby, Iowa.
In 1966, he left the teaching profession and became a pharmaceutical sales representative for Parke-Davis. He and Jan moved to Des Moines and later settled in Jefferson, Iowa to raise their family. In 1980 Ron was transferred, and the family moved to Grand Island, Nebraska. He retired from pharmaceutical sales, and they made their final move to the North Shore of Johnson Lake. Ron and his business partners launched Med Pro Inc, a pharmaceutical repackaging service in Lexington, Nebraska. Since retiring, Ron and Jan have been living the lake life.
Throughout his life, Ron enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and hunting but his first love was spending time with his family. Ron and Jan traveled extensively with friends and family across the United States and Europe. They enjoyed hosting family and friends at their lake house boating, fishing, swimming, tubing and just being together. He had a great personality and sense of humor and was often the life of the party. He has been a devoted Cornhusker Fan and has enjoyed watching all college sports in person and on TV. Some of his best times were bow hunting in Iowa with friends and later hunting with his sons, grandsons, and dear friends at the Gierau Ranch in western Nebraska. Jan was the love of his life, and he cherished their final years together watching the sunsets.
Family members include his wife, Janice (Johnson); children Roger Lau of Limon, Colorado; Robert (Amanda) Lau of Monroe, Louisiana; Beverly (Mike) Johnson of New Braunfels, Texas; Daniel (Angie) of Grand Island, Nebraska; Jennifer (Steve) Stanzel of Boulder, Colorado; 14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; siblings, Glen Lau of Lincoln, Nebraska; sisters: Veryle Riggert of Westerville, Ohio; Judy Meyer of Lincoln, Nebraska; extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Linda Lau, his sister Carol, his grandson Noah and some of his very best friends, Roger Scott, Larry Williams and Darrell Johnson.
A Celebration of Life will be at the family home on Johnson Lake, Saturday, June 10th from 4-8pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Johnson Lake Emergency Medical Services, Central Plains Home Health and Hospice or The Lexington Public Library.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
Sponsored by Reynolds-Love Funeral Home - Lexington.
5 Entries
Happier times ... indeed! (Their 'order' in the photo is reversed.)
Benji McAvoy
June 6, 2023
Though I only knew him for a very short time, it enabled me to fully understand why my father considered him such a close and invaluable friend ... through thick and thin! My sincere condolences to the entire family! (From Benji & Sherri)
Jim McGahan
March 12, 2023
Hi, Jan and family.
Martha and I were deeply saddened when we read in The Independent of Ron's death. I guess Ron and I shared a rather unique relationship. His being my St. Pats physics teacher and I, in turn, teaching chemistry/physics to your and Ron's three youngest...Bev, Dan, and Jen. I hope that Ron enjoyed working with me at St. Pats as much as I enjoyed working with the Lau kids at G.I. Northwest. They were a wonderful bunch...only good memories of my time with them. We offer all the Lau family our deepest condolences.
Martha taught them Senior English, too. (It has been a LONG time since they were our students, but she thinks she has all three of them as students.) If she didn't, she missed a real treat.
We said a special prayer for Ron and for the Lau family at Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral this weekend.
May Ron Rest in God's Peace.
Jim and Martha McGahan
Northwest High School (Retired)
North Platte St. Patrick High School Class of 1962 (Jim)
Central City High School Class of 1963 (Martha)
Nancy Adams
March 10, 2023
Dan and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Todd Couillard Family
March 9, 2023
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Roger & Karla Schmidt
March 7, 2023
So very sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that Karla and I continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. Praying the good Lord holds you close and helps mend your heart. Love you all! God Bless!
Roger & Karla
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