Lawrence Pendzich

Lawrence Edward "Larry" Pendzich passed away at age 75 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Harbour Village Retirement Community. Larry was born June 27, 1946, in Cudahy, Wisconsin, to Edward and Jane (Moffatt) Pendzich. After graduating from Cudahy High School, he went on to receive both his undergraduate and master's degrees in history from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Larry was blessed with two wonderful wives. He married Sheryl Dams on February 3, 1973, sadly losing her to cancer on December 6, 1990. Larry and Sheryl lived in Philadelphia for several years early in their marriage, during which time he developed very specific requirements for proper cheesesteak etiquette. He never lost his love of history and reading. Upon becoming a father, weekly trips to the Milwaukee Public Library were required, and he loved to quiz his daughters on the origins of the Ben Franklin statue in the lobby (answer: Franklin founded the first public library). He married Kristen Hein on July 8, 2000 in a festive gathering of friends and family. They enjoyed domestic and international travel and walks along the lakefront. Larry retired from Ladish Forging Company in Cudahy after many years of faithful employment. He worshipped at Village Church (ELCA), serving as long-time treasurer. He is survived by his wife, Kristen; his two step-daughters Laura Gruss (Richard) and Erin Tobias; his two daughters Hannah Dallman (Matthew), and Margaret Hardy (Andrew); as well as his eleven grandchildren Rose, Lily, Danny, Twyla, Isadora, Oona, Marla, Martin, Alice, Patrick, and Sydney, his siblings Bruce (Sue), Ken (LuAnn), and Barb (Greg), and siblings in-law Karol (Robert), Kathleen (Stephen), Sandra and Douglas. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Jane and brother Edward. Visitation at 10 am, Wednesday, August 4, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 4419 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, followed by the funeral service at 11 am. Memorial gifts may be made to Lutheran World Relief (lwr.org).