Lawrence Hacker

Lawrence G. (Larry) Hacker, age 82, faithful husband, father and grandfather, entered eternal life on Friday May 25, 2012. He passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family.
Larry was born in Racine, WI on June 11, 1929, to the late George and Frances (Bayer) Hacker. In 1947 he graduated from the Boys' Trade and Technical High School Artisans Program in Milwaukee. On November 18, 1950, Larry married his dear wife of sixty years, Pearl Schueller, of Milwaukee. Together they raised six children.
Larry worked in the field of graphic arts as a lithographer at Mueller Color Plate in Milwaukee and at Widen's Engraving and Strauss Printing in Madison. He cofounded and was a vice president of Four Lakes Colorgraphics, from which he retired in 1994.
Larry was a man of faith and integrity, hard-working and fun-loving. In 1968 he received a kidney transplant from his brother Gerard. Without the Gift of Life given by Gerard, he would not have survived; instead, Larry lived a full life until his passing into heaven. Larry was a member of St. Maria Goretti parish for 47 years where he taught CCD classes. His faith was the rock on which he built his life. Larry spent countless hours studying scripture, and searched for the wisdom of God in everyday life. Larry was an artist and an avid vegetable and fruit gardener. On his own, he took on projects like building a recreation room and a patio in the backyard. He laughed easily, enjoyed dancing and making puzzles, and delighted in playing with his young grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl, his parents, and brother Anthony (Joan) Hacker. Larry is survived by his children Paul (Connie) Hacker of McFarland, Mary (John) Pandl of Waukesha, Nancy (Ronald) Jones of Appleton, Daniel (Carla) Hacker of Madison, Martin Hacker of Middleton, and Jeanne (Paul) Cargill of Evansville; his brother, Gerard (Marie) and sister, Mary Sampson; twenty-one grandchildren: Anna (Tyler) Goswick, Amy, Katie, and Gloria Hacker, Michael (Tina) Pandl, Betsy (Joseph) Harbaugh, Sarah (Sister M. Teresa) Pandl, Ruth (Shane) Gerstl, Matthew and Hannah Pandl, Laura (Kenny) Leonard, Eric (Erika) Jones, Isaac (Natalia) Hacerola, Jonah and Lilly Hacker, Melissa, Ben, Emily and Mackenzie Hacker, and Erin and Max Cargill; and eleven great grandchildren: Abigail, Joshua, Monica and Luke Pandl, Olivia Pearl, James and George John Harbaugh, Dominic Gerstl, Aiden and Elijah Leonard, Braeden Kuske, plus one more expected!
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, 2012, from 4:30-7:30 PM at Cress Funeral Home at 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. On Friday, June 1, 2012, a visitation begins at 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass of Christian burial at 11 AM at St. Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave, Madison. The family suggests memorials be sent to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, or Food for the Poor, Inc.