Lawrence J. Batz, age 78, of Mazomanie, died on May 28, 2016 at Meriter Hospital, Madison.

He was born on Aug. 14th, 1937 at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison to Isabel and Paul Batz. He attended Sacred Hearts Catholic School and Sun Prairie Public High School, graduating in 1955.

He married Terese Bruss on July 6th, 1957 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elroy, WI. Larry was a farmer all his life starting at an early age in Sun Prairie on the family farm, then moving on to his own two farms: one in the Mazomanie area and one in the Arena area. He also was a logger, owned and operated a sawmill in the Black Earth area, and did both custom farm and sawmill work. He was a well-known and respected member of the community. He was of strong faith. He enjoyed taking long rides on Sunday with his wife Terese into Amish country. Larry's trademark was his always present toothpick in his mouth. Larry had special nicknames for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Larry is survived by his wife, Terese, of 58 years; his children Laurie (Don) Powers, Linda Lawler (Greg Kaioula), Joe Batz, Steve Batz, and Mandy (Chad) Peterson; grandchildren Orin (Nicole) Butterbaugh, Caitlin Butterbaugh, Tanner, Hayden, and Eli Batz, Alexa Eveland, Skyla, Mia, and Mason Peterson; great grandchildren, Griffyn, Felix, and Hoyt Butterbaugh, and Cheyenne Berg.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Mary Batz, Marge Wawrzon, Pauline Raemisch, and LeNita Breunig.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1st, 2016, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Spring Green, with a short visitation from 10-11 a.m. before mass.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 at the church.
Burial will be held in St. Barnabas Cemetery, Mazomanie.