David Lau

On Wednesday, April 3, our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, called David Theodore Lau home to his eternal rest after a brief time with cancer. David resided in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and was age 88.

David was born on May 30, 1935, in Brookings, SD to Herbert and Theodora (nee John) Lau. He was baptized in Aurora, SD by his father, Pastor Herbert Lau. David attended grade school in Roscoe, SD. He was confirmed in his Christian faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Roscoe, SD in 1948. He attended Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD (1948-1952). He attended Northwestern Lutheran College in Watertown, WI (1952-1956). David moved from Roscoe, SD to Elkhorn, WI (1951). He attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (1956-1957; 1958-1960). David taught at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, WI (1957-1958).

David married Susan Lippert at Bethel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI on June 3, 1960. The Lord blessed David and Susan with five children: James, Anne, Joseph, Nathan, and Sarah.

David worked for the Milwaukee Public Library system (1960-1962). He served as pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church of Milwaukee and Waukesha, WI (1960-1966); Immanuel Lutheran Church of Chicago, IL (1964-1966); Redeemer Lutheran Church of Bowdle, SD (1966-1972); St. John's Lutheran Church of Okabena, MN (1972-1975); Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church of Red Wing, MN (1975-1982); Messiah Lutheran Church of Eau Claire, WI (1982-1991). David was a professor at Immanuel Lutheran High School, College, and Seminary of Eau Claire, WI (1991-2005). He returned to the preaching ministry and served Peace with God Lutheran Church of Onalaska, WI (2005-2011). After 2011, David delivered the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ in services at numerous care facilities in the Eau Claire area until shortly before he died, and served as organist at Morning Star Lutheran Church of Fairchild, WI.

David served the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) as Lutheran Spokesman editor, a member of Board of Missions, a member of Board of Doctrine, Journal of Theology staff, as well as the CLC Archivist for many years. He penned several books and articles on the history of the CLC and recently completed a dogmatics textbook to be used in foreign missionary instruction.

In his free time, David was a voracious reader, enjoyed working in the seminary library, gardening, taking day trips to state and county parks with his wife, and was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

David was preceded in death by parents, Herbert and Theodora Lau; sister and brother-in-law Bill and Margaret Muhleka; brother, John H. Lau; and sister, Rhoda Krause; his wife Susan's parents; and brother-in-law Robert Zink.

He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 64 years, Susan; his five children, son James Lau (Laurie) of Eau Claire, WI and their children Marie and Katie Kelsey (Mark); daughter Anne Burns (Tim) of Eau Claire, WI and their children Tony (Katie), Alex, and Madelyn; son Joseph Lau (Julie) of Eau Claire, WI and their children Stephanie Knutson (Luke), Heidi Brown (Lucas), Darin, Daniel (Jenna); son Nathan Lau (Jessica) of Eau Claire, WI and their children Brett (Savanna), Henry, Andrew, Lydia, Alice; daughter Sarah Schaller (David) of Eau Claire, WI and their children Martha, Laura, Simeon; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Lau and Jean Zink; his brothers-in-law, Gordon Krause and John (Mary) Lippert; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at 11 a.m. with visitation an hour before the service. Pastor Chad Seybt will be officiating.

Condolences may be sent to 511 Ingram Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Memorials in David's name can be given to: Morning Star Lutheran Church, PO Box 22, Fairchild, WI 54741.

Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at stokesprockandmundt.com.