Lawrence "Larry" Meskan, 87

LAWRENCE “LARRY” MESKAN, age 87 of Waterville died on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the Janesville Nursing Home.

Born on October 1, 1931 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was the son of Leonard and Margaret (Suel) Meskan. He attended Annunciation Elementary and DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis before attending Nazareth Hall Seminary. Larry went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and his master’s degree from Mankato State University. Larry married Marlys Hillstrom on June 16, 1956 in Minneapolis. Together they raised 5 children, 7 foster children, and 3 AFS students. Larry taught in Montgomery a short time before beginning his teaching career at Waterville High School, where he retired after 38 years. He and Marlys also owned and operated the Pirates Galley in Waterville for 20 years. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time at the cabin on Lake Tetonka.

Larry was very active in his community having served as Mayor for 18 years and also serving on the Le Sueur County Park Board. He was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville where he was a lector and director of the CCD as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Larry was active with the Waterville Lions Club for over 50 years. He served as District Governor, was a founding member of the Lions Hearing Foundation at the University of MN and received numerous awards and recognition over the years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marlys of Waterville; five children, Linda (Paul) Pommeranz of Waterville, Diane (Dennis) Schwecke of Buffalo, Paul (Jill) Meskan of Minneapolis, Christopher (Chrissy Miska) Meskan of Waterville, and Stephanie (Paul) Bagby of Anamosa, IA; foster daughter and son, Ramona Langeslag and Roger Lawrence of Faribault; AFS son, Ismael (Cindy) Chang of Plymouth; grandchildren, Garrett (Erin) Pommeranz, Paul K. Pommeranz, Melissa (Colin) Cook, Emily (Cory) Tindal, Jordyn and Paige Meskan, Eryn (Haaken Anderson) Meskan, Jenna Danninger, Jacob, Madeline and Payton Meskan; foster grandson, Kyle (Kirsten) Langeslag; AFS granddaughters, Megan and Kelsey Chang; step-grandchildren, Jon (Sarah Bell) Bagby, David Bagby, Hannah Schwecke, Caleb (Christiane) Schwecke, Joah Schwecke; honorary grandson, Tomas Miska; great-grandsons, Benjamin and Nathan Pommeranz; foster great-grandson, Kalan Langeslag; step great-granddaughter, Sloan Schwecke; sisters-in-law, Verna Meskan and Elaine Chadwick; and many nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, David; sisters, MaryAnne Haglin and Mitzi Heschmeyer; brother, Jerry Meskan; brothers-in-law, Clayton Haglin, Fred Heschmeyer, Gene Chadwick, and Jim Pundsack; and sister-in-law, Lois Pundsack.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 3-7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville with Rev. Michael Ince officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville at a later date. Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville is handling arrangements. dennisfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Waterville Lions Club, Waterville Fire Department, Lions Hearing or Vision Foundation, or Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.