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BORN
1946
DIED
2025
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Lawrence Dempsey Obituary
December 18, 1946 - September 14, 2025
SPARTA, WI - Lawrence J. Dempsey Jr., 78, of Sparta, died from an auto-immune disease on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Bethany St. Joseph's Care Center, La Crosse. He was born on December 11, 1946, to Lawrence and Margaret (Baumgartner) Dempsey, in La Crosse. He had no siblings, and his mother died, at the age of 37, when he was three years old. They lived on French Island, then moved to Hokah, MN. His father then married Helen Schremp. They moved several times. Larry graduated from Tomah High School in 1967.
Larry married Bonnie Knutson, on November 25, 1978. They had no children. He had a lawn care business for several years, where he and Bonnie mowed lawns for several people. He also worked in the kitchen at Country Kitchen Restaurant, and in maintenance at Spartek. His favorite job was in maintenance at Century foods; where he made many friends. He took pride in his hard work ethic. He retired from Century Foods in 2011. Larry lived, and helped farm in Camp Douglas, and Kendall, WI. He often talked about how he loved farming and missed it.
Larry was passionate about collecting model trucks and cars; and had a large collection. He also had much interest in his model train display; which took up a whole bedroom.
Larry is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sister-in-law, Patty Suhr; niece, Dawn (Paul) Mahlum; nephews, Mike (Loretta) Ziegler II, and Mark (Carisa) Ziegler; cousin, Fred Nevsimal, and children Andrea (Ken) Clark, Jeff (Patty) Nevsimal, Jason (Sara) Nevsimal, Mark (Anita) Nevsimal, and Joe (Jill) Nevsimal; many other relatives and friends; and his beloved cats, Mercedes, Jessi, and Elizabeth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Dempsey; father-in-law, George Knutson; mother-in-law, Margie Knutson; and brothers-in-law, Ronald Knutson, Mike Ziegler I, Roger Suhr, and Willy Fisher.
A Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 3, 2025 at Burns Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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