Henry F. Laska, 89, Wausau, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was called home to God and his precious Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 11, 2015. Hank was born June 22, 1925 in Stevens Point, son of the late Alvin and Laura (Frydach) Laska. Henry served honorably in the Unites States Navy from 1942 until 1945, stationed aboard LST #672 as a naval electrician in the South Pacific during WWII. He returned home in October of 1945 via a freight train's caboose to Wittenberg, and then a kind semi driver dropped him off on Forest Street. Picking up his duffle bag, he walked along the tracks and met up with a girl on the walkway of a house and asked if she knew where the Laska family lived. Unknown to him at the time, the little girl was his sister, Caroline. She ran into the house and hollered: "Hey ma! Hank is home!" On July 3, 1948 he married Lydia Burclaw. Hank served many years with the United States Postal Service and walked thousands of miles delivering mail to his patrons, be it in sleet, hail, rain, snow or storms. The mail was always on time because of his hard work, loyalty and dedication to his job. He also returned one or two wandering children to their parents in his mail pouch. Hank was a founding member and the first janitor of St. Matthew Parish, Wausau, which he attended regularly until his health started to fail. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388, Wausau, and the Last Man's Club. He loved to go camping the "old fashioned" way with a tent. He taught his grandsons to hunt and fish which brought enjoyment as well as food. Other favorite past times included reading, berry picking and most importantly, spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren, who are all grown now. He went to cheer them on at every possible sports event. Henry and Lydia worked as a team over the years making beautiful hand-woven rugs. As they collaborated with their colors and designs a new piece of artwork was created. People still call wanting them. He learned to weave at a young age and purchased his first loom at age 11. He was a man of many talents from electrical to carpentry skills. Every December, Henry and his grandchildren would go to pick out a tree. Grandpa climbed up to take off the top only teaching the importance of preserving the tree. The fresh wreaths and nativity sets that he designed and decorated always brought joy. Though a quiet man, Hank, husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa was patient, kind hearted, intelligent, industrious, wise and had a great sense of humor. Hank is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife and sweetheart of nearly 67 years, Lydia; children, Diane, Cathy and Julie (Randy) Laska-Punke; five grandchildren, Christopher (Amber), Nicholas, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Abraham; great-grandchild, Brenna and new great-grandson, Barrett; brothers, Gerald (Kate) Laska, Norbert (Phyllis) Laska and Mike (Mary) Laska; sisters, Delores (Ray) Swedowski, Lorraine (Richard) Hornung, Betty Booth, JoAnne Ziebell, Marge Johnsen, Caroline (Clarence) Repinski and Bernice (Marvin) Missall; sister-in-law, Sophie Laska. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Robert and Eugene Laska and sister, Theresa. The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a 7:00 p.m. rosary service Friday at the Stewart Avenue funeral home. The family would like to thank the Evergreen staff at Mount View Care Center for their loving and compassionate care of both Hank and Lydia during his residency there. A big heartfelt thank you to "Dr." Kathy Smrz for her ongoing care, kindness and availability to the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com