Lawrence “Larry” ( Wojtkowiak ) Covak , age 89, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Estates of Excelsio r, in Excelsior, MN. The Covak family expresses a special thank you to the staff at Estates of Excelsior for the ir ca re, compassion and love for Larry during his stay.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at St. Michael Catholic Church, in Prior Lake . Fr . Tom Walker will preside , with Larry’s daughters as urn bearer s . In late summer, h e will be laid to rest with military honors , at the Polish Catholic Cemetery, in Duluth, MN.
In Duluth, MN o n September 17, 1930, in the home of Michael and Josephine ( Mosinia k ) Woj t kowiak , Lawrence Edward arrived in this world prematurely at 1 ½ LBS . H e might have been small, but Larry overcame many obstacles and lived a normal life. He recalls walking down the street to the local stream to gather water for the garden. Larry enjoyed playing hockey in high school , where he graduated from Duluth Central High School.
After graduating, Larry traveled to Milwaukee , WI to live with his sister, Gert and her husband, hoping to secure a job. Eventually, Larry returned to Duluth and on June 11, 1951 enlist ed into the United States Air Force. After basic training , he found himself flying t o support fellow serviceman in the Korean War. By the tim e he arrived , the war was over. Larry was honorable discharged on January 5, 1954.
While throwing a football with some friends, Larry hurled the ball and it hit Barbara Kar ger in the head. They started courting and o n July 24, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larry and Barbara were married. He converted to Roman Cath oli c i sm , before marrying Barbara . Larry secured a good paying job with A.W. Kuettel and Sons Sheet Metal and Roofing . For over 35 years, he persevered and became a talented sheet metal mechanic.
In the end, they purchased his parent ’ s Duluth home, where they raised five precious daughter, LeeAnn, Kelley, Kristy , Kerry and Lori. A t first , the family enjoyed an occasional summer vacation. It was years later; Larry built a cabin on White Face Lake . The family spent most summer weekends enjoy ing lake life, swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing . Despite having no electricity, the Covak family made priceless memories at the cabin through the years. Larry relished times being the biggest and loudest supporter of his children’s events , even though he may have gotten into trouble a time o r two for being so energetic. Larry and Barbara were extremely proud of the ir five girl s and as the family grew to include sons-in-laws and later grandchildren and great grandchildren . He loved following his grandchildren ’s sporting events and was truly i nvested in their lives and wellbeing.
Larry and Barbara enjoyed being together and spent limitless hours working in the vegetable garden . In his spare time, Larry became a gifted woodman’s and made each creation perfect . They got tired of the long winters in Duluth and came south to Montgomery , MN, with purchasing a home in the woods. Barbara became ill and needed more support and care , so they spent their remaining time living in Prior Lake. Life changed for Larry when Barbara passed o n October 29, 2003 .
Larry will be sadly missed and forever loved by daughters , LeeAnn (Steve) Shimek , Kelley (Glenn) Garden, Kristy Blix , Kerry (Charlie) Dammer , Lori Covak ; grandchildren, Ja y me ( Jamin ) Anderson, Joey (Melissa) Shimek , Tommy Shimek , Lindsy Tranum , Jake (Afton) Blix, Allie Blix, Brody Damme r , Kelly (David) Herman , Christie Olvera ; great grandchildren, Asher, Eli, Grady and Hazel Anderson, Harrison and Hadley Shimek , Katie Tranum , Bennett Blix , DJ, Dylan and Kennedy Herman , Cheyenne and Tommie Olvera : other relatives and friends.
There to greet Larry home in heaven is his wife , Barbara; parents, Michael and Josephin e; siblings, Edward (Helene) Covak , Eleanor (Leo) Braun and Gertrude (Larry) Olson .
Cards can be mailed to Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 104 First St West , Jordan, MN 55352 and will be distributed to the family.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Covak family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
