Larry C. Drews

Larry C. Drews, 79, of Ringle, passed away on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Larry was born on April 2, 1942, in Wittenberg, the son of Adolph and Hazel (Long) Drews. On March 29, 1961, Larry married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Sandra Evans, at the Wittenberg Methodist Church. Larry loved Jesus his entire life; he was a very devoted Christian. Larry was very proud of his first job, setting pins at the Wittenberg Bowling Alley. He graduated from Wittenberg High School in 1960. Larry was a United States Army veteran, serving from 1961 to 1964. Larry and Sandy farmed for nearly 20 years in the town of Harrison, Marathon County, where he also served on the Harrison Town Board. After farming, Larry was a carpenter for many years before retiring from Car Parts as a delivery driver. Larry served as an Elder at Hogarty Community Church for 24 years. He served his church honorably in many roles throughout the years. Larry enjoyed working in his shop; he could fix anything. He loved woodworking, fixing anything with a motor, building furniture for his family and bird houses for his beloved birds. Larry loved polka music and was a fantastic dancer. He was the most wonderful husband, the greatest dad and a loving papa-grandpa to all his grandchildren. Larry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra; children, Lori Ann (Steve) Thompson, of Aniwa, Catherine (Tom Hintz) Schroder, of Aniwa, Michael Drews, of Wausau, and Thomas (Jodi) Drews, of Wausau; grandchildren, Sheila Thompson, Valerie (Jeffery) Jaeger, Sarah (Ronald Weller Jr.) Hearn, Wyatt (Megan) Thompson, Jeffrey (Elizabeth Walter) Sickinger, Trevor Schroder, Cody (Cassie) Schroder, and Jed Drews; great-grandchildren, Alexis (Jordan Meyer) Jaeger, Hunter and Harley Hearn, Caleb Jaeger, Braxton, Sawyer and Asher Thompson, Ellie, Bently and Silas Schroder, Charlee Sickinger, Zavier Steinhoff, Evan and Andrea Powell; one great-great-grandson, Dominic Meyer; siblings, Ronald (Shirley) Drews, Janice (Pat) Pike, and Donna Hull; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Betty Drews, Larry (Betty) Evans, Bette Evans, Mary Ploederl, Connie Riddle, Delores Evans, Bob Blalock; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Ora and Evelyn Evans; siblings, Orville Drews, Dennis Drews, Alice Mae (Milan) Bernarde, Delores Drews and Florence Drews in infancy; grandson, Jordy Drews; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Delhart Evans, James Evans, Donald Hull, Tommy Todd, Robert Todd, Joyce (Elmer) Shufelt, Patricia Blalock, Gerald (Mary Ann) Todd, Everett (Shirley) Todd, Gary Evans, John Ploederl, Arlene Todd and Bob Harvey. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Hogarty Community Church. Pastor Dan MacDonald will officiate. Military rites will be conducted at the church by the Darling Gunderson American Legion Post. Burial will be in the spring at Hogarty Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidschulta.com.