Larry W. Kraak, age 77, died of Alzheimer’s, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at The Meadows Memory Care Unit in Fall River, WI.

Larry was born in Muscoda, WI on August 20, 1948. He grew up on the Kraak family farm in the Town of Pulaski, with his parents, Elmer & Veda (Crary) Kraak, & his brother, Steve. Larry attended Prairie School & graduated from Muscoda High School. He married Liz Beyler on August 25, 1984 in Madison. He & Liz made their life together in Madison for the next 33 years until she passed away from Alzheimer’s.

Larry thoroughly enjoyed the many trips he & Liz made to their cabin on Lake Namekagon in Northern Wisconsin at Cable. He was a woodworker, making furniture & turning wood into beautiful bowls. Larry retired as a groundskeeper at the UW Madison, where he found much joy designing flower gardens on campus & tending to them. His greatest & proudest accomplishment was his 44 years of AA sobriety.

Larry is survived by his brother, Steve (Maureen) Kraak, his nephew, Matthew (Chelsey) Kraak, & his great-nephew, Kord Kraak. He was preceded in death by his wife, Liz, and his parents, Elmer & Veda (Crary) Kraak.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest, with Rev. Carol Baumgartner officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Larry’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Kim Wrangell & Lorelai Cavazos & their staff at The Meadows for the gentle, kind & compassionate care they gave to Larry, & also heartfelt thanks to Rainbow Hospice for keeping Larry calm, relaxed & comfortable during his end-of-life journey.

To view Larry’s obituary or to leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Larry Kraak

August 20, 1948 - November 02, 2025

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