Lawrence James Jokipii

MINOCQUA, Wis. - Lawrence James Jokipii of Mercer, Wisconsin, was born on Sept. 17, 1943, and passed away on July 11, 2024, at the Aspirus Howard Young Hospital in Minocqua.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha Jokipii; brother, Robert North; his sisters, Margaret and Dorothy; his son, Larry Jokipii Jr .; and step-son, Robert Richard Klotter.

He is survived by his life partner of 41 years, Rita Klotter; daughters, Terri Jo Jokipii and Sheri (Perry) Finco; step-son, Jason Jokipii; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

After Lawrence graduated from Hurley High School, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He then attended Chippewa Valley Technical College of Eau Claire, where he studied plumbing, engineering and fabrication.

He then moved to northern Illinois and worked for Martin Peterson Company Inc. in Kenosha. He also was contracted out to Abbot Laboratories in northern Chicago. There, he provided a healthier, safer place to work with sanitary conditions through his expertise in HVAC plumbing service and engineering.

Larry not only loved to work for Abbot Labs, he also loved going to Chicago museums, art institutes, the aquarium and zoos across "Chicago Land."

In the mid-1980s, Larry and Rita moved to Hurley, where they opened a 50s- and 60s-themed bar called Deja Vu for five years, until Larry decided to move back to Illinois and Martin Peterson. He continued to own businesses in Ironwood until he retired at 62.

Larry retired to Mercer, where he enjoyed a relaxing life that included fishing every day, going out to dinner with Rita, and playing with his two beautiful standard poodles.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.