Herbert H. Lau

Herbert H. Lau, 89, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Herb was born March 6, 1931, in Merrill, son of the late Herman and Gertrude (Weise) Lau. Herb enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He served on the U.S.S. Aldebaran and was honorably discharged after serving his country for four years. Herb married Grace Utecht on July 11, 1953. She preceded him in death on December 24, 2016. Herb worked at Wausau Papers – Brokaw for 38 years. At his retirement he was a backtender on the #2 paper machine. Herb was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. He enjoyed woodworking and had built many things for the church. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He built a hunting shack in the Town of Corning with his sons and grandson, Kristopher. Herb will be remembered as a great story teller who had a good sense of humor and loved to have fun. He was a very giving man and would do anything for anyone. As Herb said so often; “Keep Smiling.” Survivors include his daughter, Laurel (Shawn) Schultz of Merrill; sons, Lonn (Patty) Lau of Merrill and Lee (Chris) Lau of Merrill; grandchildren, Molly Schultz, Bethany Schultz, Kristopher (Hillary) Lau, Kaitlyn (Brian) Seeger, Emily Lau, and Sam Lau; great-grandchildren, Braelyn Lau, Kaia Lau, Quinn Seeger, and Chloe Seeger; and brother, Ronald (Louise) Lau of Gleason. Herb was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Lau; parents, Herman and Gertrude Lau; great-granddaughter, Madison Lyn Seeger; siblings and their spouses, Donna (Roger) Kysley, Myrt (Robert) Shankwitz, Helen (Ned) Vanderbunt, and Alton (Edie) Lau; and in-laws, Mildred (Lawrence) Borchardt, Lu (David ‘Knocky’) Benzinger, and Lester (Pearl) Voigt. The funeral service for Herb Lau will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the church. Masks and social distancing will be required at both facilities. The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.