Lawrence "Larry" Andrew Kalina

| 1926-2022

Long-time outdoorsman, barber and family man Lawrence "Larry" Andrew Kalina, 96, Menomonie, died peacefully in his sleep at Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center in Colfax, Dec. 11, 2022, following medical treatment for recent health issues.  

Born March 17, 1926, in Phillips, Wisc., the son of John and Anna (Mihulcova) Kalina, he served as a corporal in the 151st Engineer Combat Battalion in the U.S. Army during the Korean War 1950-52.  

He married Barbara Ann Porter, April 20, 1955, in Richmond, Va., and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Menomonie. 

He worked at several manufacturing jobs and as a barber in Chicago, and after moving back to Wisconsin, owned and operated Larry’s Barber Shop on Main Street in Menomonie from 1962 to 2007.  

An energetic personality, Larry was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Besides playing the accordion and harmonica, he enjoyed cards, especially cribbage.  

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, five sons: John (Michelle) Kalina, Anoka, Minn., Lawrence Jr. (Teresa) Kalina, Houston, Texas, Matthew (Lisa) Kalina, Scottsdale, Ariz., Paul (Jane) Kalina, Houston, Texas, and James (Kim) Kalina, Minneapolis, Minn., one grandson, Stephan Kalina, and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his four sisters: Helen Augustine, Clementine Strok, Anna Mack and Mary Bryja; and by six brothers: Louis Kalina, John Kalina, George Kalina, Martin Kalina, Albert Kalina and Joseph Kalina, and by an infant brother and an infant sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Defenders of Wildlife, Nature Conservancy; The Trees Remember and Wildlife Conservation Society.  

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday December 20, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie, Wisc., with Rev. John Mano officiating.  Burial will be in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisc.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Condolences

1. Kirk Fisher December 20, 2022, at 8:44am

   I had the pleasure of knowing Lawrence for over 40 years. He was an honorable man, and an accomplished host, who enjoyed just watching others enjoy themselves. He loved his home in the country and having so many folks over through the years, countless.

   Back in 1984 I brought some friends from the Navy base home to Menomonie for the weekend. Lawrence had us all stop by his shop for haircuts. We were all so grateful, the barbers on base hadn't yet polished their craft, Lawrence clearly had.

   Sorry and sad to see you go. A thousand thousand memories.

2. Lisa (Scholfield)Moe December 19, 2022, at 9:28am

   I'm sorry for your loss, we've had a lot of great memories through the years, the best neighbors ever, love,prayers and hugs to you all ,
   The Scholfield Family ????

3. Kirk A Walters December 15, 2022, at 8:58am

   I enjoyed the time spent with Mr Kalina, Larry - and all the family. Hope to make it for the funeral. My condolences.

4. Nate Riordan December 14, 2022, at 3:08am

   I appreciated that Larry knew who he was. When we were kids he talked about getting a place out in the country and did that and it was no delusional dream, he knew what he wanted and went and got it and loved it.
   Larry was the first small business owner I ever really knew, I was fascinated by the blue plastic envelope with the day's cash.
   More than all of that, when I was 14 I started hanging out with Jim and went over to the house with the family Larry created. It was chaos upstairs. It was different. All the Kalinas were creative and interesting and into weird stuff and funny and I took it all in. Some of my favorite memories were in that house. I went over there and laughed and laughed. I felt okay being me. Those experiences were part of growing up and they're part of me now. Jim, you've been one my best friends for 40 years. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that all Larry was and did with his life created such a huge part of my life growing up that I'll always be indebted to him.
   I'm truly sorry for your loss. Thanks Larry and the whole family for all you've meant to me.

5. Claire Kalina December 13, 2022, at 5:46pm

   Lawrence was always very welcoming and kind hearted. We will miss him.

6. Charles Kalina December 13, 2022, at 5:21pm

   My uncle was a generous and inclusive man. He always wanted friends and family to feel at ease and loved. He was a personal inspiration to me, and I was never steered in the wrong direction when I followed his advice. Uncle Lawrence was a good storyteller, relating family history which was essential to understanding the dynamics of the Kalina family. Uncle Lawrence lived a long, energetic and gratifying life. However, it is difficult to convey in a few written words the loss his family feels in his passing. It is impossible to sum up the influence he had on those close to him. He will be sorely missed, and never forgotten. We all feel a great loss.

7. Larry and Ann Selvig December 13, 2022, at 4:54pm

   We are sending our condolences to the family, he was one of a kind ,a great man that I'm glad I got to know him he will be missed dearly. I feel we were part of the family, he will be with his brother, Nephew and Sister in law . God bless you all.

8. Anne Nooney December 13, 2022, at 12:22pm

   Boys, your father lived a long and extraordinary life. He was amazingly hard-working. A role model for us all. My deepest condolences for your loss. Anne

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