Laurence Kim Dodge, 69, of Chetek, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on June 6th, 2024, shortly after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Laurence was born on December 14th, 1954, in Eau Claire, WI to Roy and Mavis (Newman) Dodge. He was raised on a dairy farm in Chetek, WI where he was the 3rd generation to farm the land. He graduated from Chetek High School in 1973 and attended college at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire as a history major before returning home to run the family farm. In 1989, Laurence met and married his wife of 35 years, Laurene Kay (Watkins) Dodge of Barron, WI.

Laurence dairy and crop farmed for many years and loved working out of doors. He retired from farming in 1997. While Laurence had several jobs after farming, he found his new calling as a Solids Control technician in the oil field in 2012. Laurence enjoyed the rugged working conditions and the many friendships that he made while traveling around the country to work in different states.

Laurence was an avid hunter in his younger years and took many hunting trips with his good friend Lynn Davis and his cousin Sherwin Newman. He also hunted for many years in Webster, WI with his close friend Sherman Bell. Before he began traveling for work, Laurence was an active member of the Masonic Lodge in Chetek, WI, and enjoyed volunteering at the annual 4th of July pancake breakfast as well as serving in various offices of the lodge.

In 2019, Laurence retired from the oil field to his hobby farm in Hillsdale, WI where he enjoyed gardening and raising chickens with his wife.

Laurence was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mavis as well as his sister Tamara (David) Johnson. He is survived by his wife Laurene, daughters Care (Lucas) Mastin and Sarah Dodge, grandchildren Mason, Brandt, and Mia Mastin, sister Terri (Doug) Bates, many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Per Laurence’s wishes, there will be a small family gathering for a celebration of life at a later date. Any memorials can be made to the National Brain Tumor Society online at braintumor.org or sent by check to 55 Chapel Street, Suite 006, Newton, MA 02458.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

Last Update: Jun 11, 2024 11:38 am CDT