Keith Lawler

MADISON - Retired Madison Fire Department Captain Keith Lawler appropriately took his last ride with his "kids" (the paramedics from Station #5) before passing away on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. He joined his wife, Margaret Lerwick Lawler who died Nov.4, 2007. Keith was born in Kenosha, Wisc. on April18,1921 in a rare spring snowstorm, followed seven minutes later by his twin sister, Kathleen, and he graduated from St. Catherine's high school in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and later joined the Naval Air Corp as an instructor of pilots. He was quarantined with measles in Milwaukee during the war where he met his future wife. It was a "love at first sight" war love story and they were married on August 28, 1943. The marriage between Keith and his lifelong "pal" lasted over 64 years and they were the very proud parents of 10 children and numerous foster children. They moved to Madison where he joined the Madison Fire Department retiring in February of 1981. His firefighting family played an important role throughout his life. Keith would want to be remembered for his quick wit and command of the English language, for his love of carpentry, building and baking banana bread and for his unwavering loyalty to his friends and family. He was an active member of St. Bernard\'s Catholic Church in Madison his entire life in Madison. He and Margaret leave the legacy which meant the world to them, children, Keith Jr. (Kathy S. Clark), Stephen (Sharon), Philip (Charlene), Joseph (Pati), Kathleen (Mike) Lemke, Jerome (Marilynn), Maureen (Greg) Skonie, Therese (Danny Schenkoske), Donald (Jan) and Charles (Kathleen). No mention of Keith would be complete without naming his grandchildren (Lawlers unless noted otherwise), Julie, Kari Walker, Brian, Kim Olivas, Steve Wiltrout, Jeffrey, Kelli, Jennifer Yelk, Ryan, Toby Younglove, Kim Parizo, David, Paul Lemke, Andrea Lemke , Jimmy Lemke, Angela Kussow, Tina Hornung and Elizabeth. A special blessing to him were his great-grandchildren, Molly, Charlie, Briana, Briant, McKenzie, Gabriel, Kassi, Kaylee, Kamryn, Preston, Jerod, Zachary, Amber, Jade, Megan, Tyler, William and Hailee. He is survived by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews too numerous to mention by name, but each one very dear to his heart. He also leaves the mothers of five of his grandchildren, Anne, Dar, Betty and Cyndy and Jane and countless dear friends. His parents and eight siblings preceded Keith in death. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m until 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, and at the church on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824, Independent Living, 815 Forward Dr., Madison, Wisc. 53705, Local 311 Charitable Trust, MDA Fill the Boot Campaign, 821 Williamson Street, Madison, Wisc., 53703-4503 or a charity of your choice. Many thanks to the support given to us by our other families at the Madison Fire Department, St. Mary\'s Hospital, and Chamomile II. Keith was adamant the following quote is included in his obituary. \"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.\" However, his children and friends would say of Keith, \"He did not talk about his values and principles, he lived them.\" He will be missed by many. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824, Independent Living, 815 Forward Dr., Madison, Wisc. 53705, Local 311 Charitable Trust, MDA Fill the Boot Campaign, 821 Williamson Street, Madison, Wisc., 53703-4503 or a charity of your choice. Cemetery: Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation: Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m until 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, and at the church on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.