Lawrence Joseph Casey, “Larry,” took his final breath at his home, surrounded by his loving family, and ran into the waiting, open arms of Jesus on December 13, 2024. Larry was born, the first of two boys, to Sam and Jeanette Casey on August 11, 1933, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and spent most of his childhood in Combined Locks, where he infamously set the hill on fire, and later in Appleton where his parents owned and operated Casey’s Keenway grocery store. He will be remembered by many for his wise counsel and help to those in need, love for his family and friends, and the example he set as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. 

Larry met the love of his life, Joyce Catherine Van Hout, when he was best man at a wedding in Little Chute where Joyce was serving coffee. After the wedding, a group went to the village picnic where Larry grabbed Joyce’s arm and said, “let’s go on the Tilt-A-Whirl,” and their lives have been spinning together ever since. They were married on October 11, 1958. They poured their hearts and time into raising 3 children, John, Steve, and Mary, setting an awesome example of what marriage and family should look like, and eventually became grandparents to 9. Larry & Joyce have been members of St. Pius X Catholic Church since 1965, where Larry was president of the Home/School Association, an usher, and a member of the choir.

Larry graduated from St. Mary High School in 1952 and Marquette University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. He went through Army basic training and served in the Army Reserves. Upon graduating from Marquette, he spent 4 years with American Can Company in Neenah, before being transferred and spending 4 years in Naheola/Butler, Alabama. In 1965 he joined Appleton Coated Paper Company (later Appleton Papers), where he held numerous leadership positions, including Combined Locks Mill Manager, before becoming the VP of Manufacturing and eventually VP of Customer Service and Logistics, retiring in 1992. He held leadership roles and was on the boards of many different business, professional, and civic organizations, including East Wisconsin Savings Bank, TAPPI, Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Knights of Columbus.

“Paw,” as he is called, created a special place for his grandkids, when upon retirement he traded in his dream boat for a cottage. He and Joyce have always been very generous, opening the doors of the cottage to so many guests. He was also very proud of each of his grandkids and tried to make it to as many of their games and events as possible. His work ethic, integrity, and ingenuity come through in the generations after him. Despite giving up his dream boat, he still found his way to the high seas with their sailing group, who sailed to many destinations in the Caribbean and even the South Pacific. Other friends joined them over many years of camping, skiing in the mountains out west, golfing in The Villages in Florida, and on various other adventures. The amazing friend group he and Joyce developed is another testament to the kind of man he was.

Larry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce; his 3 children, John (Mary Shaun), Steve (Jean), and Mary Jean (Todd); 9 grandchildren, Michael, Patrick (Liz), Andria (Jake), Sarah, Sam, Joe, Kelly, Tom, and Dan; 2 great grandsons, Felix, and a baby expected in March; brother, Bob (Jane); and sisters-in-law, Judi (Denny), Kathy (Eric), Nancy (Joe), and Julie.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Brewster Village for their care in August and September and to Compassus Hospice nurses Karissa, Craig, Krystal, and Jesse for their compassionate care and support over recent weeks.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 500 W. Marquette St., Appleton, WI. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Pillars Homeless Shelters in Appleton or The American Cancer Society. For more information or to share a memory please visit www.valleyfh.com.