Lawrence Clayton Kafka

Lawrence C. (Clayton) Kafka, 85, Denmark, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Harmony of Denmark, with family at his side. He was born July 26, 1929 in Denmark, son of the late Lawrence and Matilda (Jorgenson) Kafka. He graduated from Denmark High School and served his country in the United States Army. He married the former Marcella Dworak on July 11, 1953 in Glenmore, and together they had 13 children. She preceded him in death on April 5, 1979. He was part-owner of Kafka Bros Trucking for many years, and later worked for Brown County Publishing until his retirement. He was a long time member of All Saints Catholic Church and the Denmark American Legion. He enjoyed getting together with his family, playing cards, and watching baseball. He is survived by his 9 children: Bob Kafka, Vicky (Steven) Abts, Cindy (Frank) VandeHey, Tom Kafka, Julie (Mark) Larsen, Jeanne Hansen, Joanne (Clarence) Harris, Jim Kafka, and Kristine (Derek) Warner; 14 grandchildren: Nicholas (Cara) Abts, Natalie Abts, Jessica (Jesse) Van Groll, Laura (Gary) Rentmeester, Chelsea Umentum, Molly Kafka, Bennett Kafka, Travis Larsen, Brooke (special friend-Joe Puls) Larsen, Zak Larsen, Melissa Hansen, Craig Hansen, Jackson Warner, and Olvia Warner; 2 great-grandchildren, Felix and Iris Abts; two sisters, Norma Malewiski and Carol Kreft; one brother, Clem (Terry) Kafka; son-in-law, Burt Umentum; sisters-in-law, Dorothy VandenLangenberg and Kathy Dworak. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Mary “Monnie” Umentum and Patricia Kafka; 2 infant sons, Charles and Paul; sister, Doris (Eugene) Lodl; brother, John Kafka; 2 brothers-in-law, Ben Malewiski and Harry Kreft. Family and friends may visit Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 Cty R, Denmark, on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until the procession leaves for All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at church, with Fr. Kevin Ori officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery with full military honors. Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center, especially Dr. Nancy Davis, and Harmony of Denmark.