Lawrence August Michaelis

BLACK EARTH - Lawrence August “Larry” Michaelis, age 97, of Black Earth, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born on May 29, 1924, in Madison, the son of Henry and Emma (Piersdorff) Michaelis.

Larry grew up on South Mills Street. He was the youngest of six surviving children and used Vilas Park Zoo as his playground. He attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from West High School in 1942.

Following graduation, he worked for the Kipp Corporation on a defense contract until he was drafted in March of 1943. Larry went through basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., as a member of the 106th Infantry. He shipped out for England on May 13, 1944, arriving on May 25, 1944, as the allies were preparing for D-Day. Shortly after arriving in England, Larry "volunteered" for the 101st Airborne 327th glider infantry regiment. He spent the next four months training with the 101st in preparation for Operation Market Garden. On Sept. 19, 1944, Larry took his first and only combat glider ride during the Holland invasion. But due to extremely foggy conditions, his glider was not on course and landed somewhere behind British lines. Larry earned his combat infantry badge during the 73 days the 101st fought in Holland before they were pulled off the line and sent to France for rest. That rest period was cut short when the 101st was trucked to Belgium at the outbreak of the Battle of the Bulge. Larry pulled guard duty for General Anthony McAullife during Christmas of 1944. He was wounded on the 13th of January 1945 near Foy, Belgium, and sent to a field hospital in France. He was awarded the purple heart. He would spend the next three weeks recovering before rejoining his unit and marching toward Berchtesgaden. There, he spent the remaining days of World War II as part of the occupation forces and preparing for the possible invasion of Japan. He departed Europe on the 28th of November 1945 and arrived in the USA on Dec. 5, 1945.

Shortly after returning home, in January of 1946, he and his brother, Randolph, purchased the farm just south of Black Earth.  

He married Jane Meekma on Oct. 28, 1950, in Madison. They raised five daughters together.

Lawrence worked as a farmer, at Badger Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam War, and built homes for Windsor homes in Madison.

He spent his retirement reading, woodworking, traveling to Europe and visiting World War II reenactments. He was a recipient of the Legion of Honor medal from France and the Medal of Honor from Luxembourg. On June 6, 2014, the State of Wisconsin awarded him a certificate of commendation at the state capital D-Day ceremony.

Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Lois (Roy) Grant, Karen (Jack) Meyer, Donna Juno and Irene Bollerud; son-in-law, Randy Bartow; grandchildren, Lona (Marvin) Renvick, Ashley (Joe) Parker, Jason Meyer, Shane Bartow, Brandon (Rebekah Hustad) Juno, Blake Bollerud and A.J. Bollerud; and great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Avah, Liam, Cole, Evan, Ryan, JJ, Kian and Holly.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Jane; parents; daughter, Joan; son-in-law, Michael Bollerud; and his siblings, Randolph, Marie, Alfred, Alice, Emily and infant younger brother, Henry.

A graveside service at Middleton Junction Cemetery, 8409 Isaac Drive, Madison, will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of life luncheon from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Legion hall, 2217 American Legion Drive, Cross Plain.

The family would like to thank Dr. Janelle Hupp and staff at the Wisconsin Heights Clinic, and Agrace HospiceCare for taking care of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Memorials may be made to Badger Honor Flight, The Greatest Generations Foundation, The Best Defense Fund or Lest We Never Forget Our Heroes. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Cross Plains

Funeral & Cremation Care

2421 Church St.

(608) 798-3141