Laurence "Larry" Joseph Berlage

Laurence “Larry” Joseph Berlage would say, “Family and faith are the most important things in life.” He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. At the age of 88, on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, Larry passed away after a sudden illness, at the SSM Monroe Hospital, Monroe, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11am Saturday, December 30, 2023, with the Knights of Columbus Honors, at the Church of St. Mary in Elizabeth, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4 – 7pm Friday, December 29, 2023, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, and from 10 – 10:45am Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Church of St. Mary in Elizabeth, Illinois or the Elizabeth Fire Department.

Larry was born on the family farm near Elizabeth, January 21, 1935, the son of Joseph H. and Florence E. (Becker) Berlage. It is on the farm where he learned his work ethic, especially after losing his father at the age of 15. He graduated from Elizabeth High School with the Class of 1953. When Larry was a young man, he would work on the family farm and work at an outside job. While visiting Hanover with his buddies, Larry met Kay, the love of his life. On February 4, 1956, Larry married Kathleen “Kay” Ann Hazer at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hanover. Together they raised three children, Barbara, Mary Ann and Steven, and celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Larry believed in community and going the extra mile. He loved living and working in the Elizabeth area. From 1963 – 1977, Larry owned and operated Berlage Implement selling John Deere equipment. He then worked for Cobine Implement in Elizabeth and Foster Implement in Warren. He and Kay owned and operated the Elizabeth True Value Hardware Store from 1991 – 2003. In retirement Larry chose to drive for River Ridge School District, for the special needs program. He served as Trustee of the Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years, was president of the Elizabeth Fair Board for 19 years, he served on the Jo Daviess Service Company Board of Directors, and was instrumental in building the Elizabeth Community Building. He gave his heart and soul to the Elizabeth community. Larry was honest, reliable and loyal.

Larry was active in his church by serving on the parish council, serving as an Usher and also as a Eucharistic Minister. Larry believed in the mission of the Knights of Columbus. He served on both local and state levels. He established new councils in several other churches. Larry earned many honors while serving on the state council.

Larry will be dearly missed by his wife Kay of Elizabeth; three children, Barbara (Terrance) Zigler of Geneseo, Illinois, Mary Ann (Michael) Grebner of Monroe, Wisconsin and Steven (Christine) Berlage of Loveland, Colorado; six grandchildren, Katie (John) Streblow, Kim Zigler (Jarad Putnam), Patrick (Allison) Zigler, Brad (Anna) Grebner, Kyle Berlage and Tyler Berlage; two great-granddaughters, Ellie Anderson and Addison Streblow; a sister, Ann Tranel; two sisters-in-law, Carole Berlage and Marilyn Berlage; and many nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by a sister, Florence, in infancy; and five brothers, Herbert, Donald, Maurice, Kenneth, and James Berlage.