Lawrence Everett Wolfgram

Lawrence Everett (Larry) Wolfgram, age 95, entered the presence of Jesus on August 31, 2022, surrounded by members of his loving family. He was born to Herman and Ella Wolfgram on April 15, 1927, in Niagara, ND, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Throughout his teen years, he helped his father on their family farm. After high school, he enlisted in the army, where he served with the clerical staff in Vienna, Austria, during and after WWII. After leaving the army, he moved to St Paul, sharing an apartment with one of his cousins. There, he attended Rasmussen Business School, where he also taught penmanship. While visiting his sister in Minneapolis, he met Dorothy Schmidt, who became the love of his life. They were married on May 3, 1953, and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in 2020, the year she passed away. He referred to her then as his “Wife for Life,” which she was. They settled in Maplewood MN where they built a house, living there for 63 years and raising their five children. Their home was often filled with music. Family gatherings often included the singing of a table grace or hymns. The family rendition of “Happy Birthday,” complete with five-part harmony, was unrivaled.

For most of their marriage, they attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. Lawrence, with his great harmonizing ability, was part of the choir. He also served for decades as treasurer at Bethlehem. Later they attended Woodbury Lutheran Church where they both participated in many community groups and activities. Many people from the Kitchen Band remember them both fondly.

He was very proud of his office management and accounting skills. He was an active member of National Association of Accountants (NAA) for decades. He worked as an accountant and office manager for United Refrigerator Company in Hudson, WI for almost 30 years, as well as doing bookkeeping for Publishers Vending Service (PVS) for the same owner. When these companies closed, he worked at Newport Cold Storage, and later at US Bank.

He was always a joy-filled person and worked to bring joy to others. With a word suggestion, he was always ready with a song. He brought his harmonica to work and during down times would serenade others in the office. He was always ready to greet old and new friends with a firm handshake. For several years, he played horseshoes in a league in Maplewood, MN. From the time of his army days until he was almost 80, he regularly donated blood, giving over 17 gallons throughout his lifetime.

Larry was always a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was preceded in death by his “Wife for Life,” Dorothy, his parents, and siblings Theodore, Leonard, Harold, and Ronald, and brother-in-law Bill Kroonblawd. He is survived by siblings Corrine Kroonblawd, Wesley (Emmy) Wolfgram, and Claudia Wolfgram, as well as sisters-in-law Betty and Harriet; and children Barbara (Dennis) Scott, Beverly (Keith) Esala, Robert (Leslie) Wolfgram, Timothy (Sharon) Wolfgram, and Daniel (Hollie) Wolfgram; eleven loving grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

The family plans to also honor Dorothy at the visitation and funeral, since friends and relatives did not have the opportunity to do so in 2020. Visitation will be held at Woodbury Lutheran Church beginning at 10 am, September 23. The funeral will be held at 11 am, with a luncheon to follow.

Inurnment will be held separately at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Cologne, MN, on September 24.

Memorials suggested to The Lutheran Hour, Alzheimer’s Association, or The American Red Cross. Or give a pint of blood to the Red Cross or your local blood drive.