Lawrence ‘Larry’ L. Bares

Mr. Larry Bares of the Town of Belgium passed away at Rocky Knoll Health Care on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren after battling lymphoma for 15 months. He was 72 years old.  

Lawrence was born in Port Washington on Aug. 9, 1947, the son of Edwin and Betty Emley Bares.  

He grew up in the Town of Belgium, one of 10 children born to the couple. Larry attended local schools, graduating from Port Washington High School with the class of 1965, before proudly serving in the U.S. Navy until 1967.  

He later attended Bryant & Stratton College to earn his degree in accounting.

On May 30, 1970, Larry was united in marriage with Audrey Leider at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Fredonia.  

The couple settled in the Town of Belgium and raised their family of four children.

Larry grew up helping at the family’s businesses including Wayside Dairy in Belgium and Belgium Community Center, later buying the establishment from his father in 1982. He ran the bowling alley, hall and restaurant until 1991.

Larry found great joy in helping “the boys” at Appleland picking apples and cutting the grass.

Mr. Bares was also a rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Belgium, retiring in 2014.

Larry currently owned and operated Key Insurance Agency.

In retirement, Larry found great enjoyment in cutting grass at Hawthorne Hills Golf Course.

Larry was a lifetime member of Divine Savior, Holy Cross Parish and served on the Parish Council, was a member of the American Legion Melvin Wester Belgium Memorial Post 412 for 50 years, and the Belgium Lions Club.  

He enjoyed being active and spending time outside. He loved to play pickleball, go biking, maintain the beauty of the woods he lived in, bird watching and feeding and mow the lawn.  

He was an incredible bowler who earned a 300 score in 1994. Larry was happiest on the golf course and scored a hole-in-one in 2010. In his younger days, Larry was a baseball star as a left-handed second baseman. Later he became an avid soccer fan as he watched his grandkids play the game, and he always enjoyed going to any of their sporting events.

Most recently, vacations to Arizona were a favorite of his to enjoy the sunshine and warmth during our long winters. Above all, he treasured spending time with his family.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Audrey, and their four children, Todd (Vicky) Bares of Stillwater, Minn., Scott (Alicia) Bares of Port Washington, Luke (Kristi) Bares of Richfield and Sara (Scott) Zimdars of Fredonia.  

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Spencer, Haleigh, Tanner, Logan, Fletcher, Pierce, Parker, Dane, Colter and Quinn.

Larry is further survived by brothers Steven (Carol) Bares of Belgium, Charles (Mary) Bares of Elkhart Lake, Edwin C. (Manejeh) Bares of Belgium and Anthony (Jill) Bares of Fredonia; sisters Hedy (Peter) Poull of Port Washington, Ruth (Rick) Kultgen, also of Port Washington, and Annie (Ron) Stadler of Saukville; nieces; nephews; other family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eddie and Betty, brother Paul and sister Patricia Bares.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Divine Savior, Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 Hwy. B, Belgium, followed by military honors. Father Gideon Buya will preside the Mass.  

The family will receive visitors at the church on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.

There will be a walk-through for the American Legion and the Belgium Lions at 5 p.m.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.