Michael Lawrence

Michael's heart of this world may not beat, but his spirit and love for those he knew (including animals) was stubbornly strong and forever remembered.

Born November 7, 1990, a fierce warrior, and from that point on, he walked life to the beat of his own drum. On April 29, 2023, the life of Michael Lawrence came full circle as he selflessly gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. This is what Michael wanted and is a small illustration of who he was as a person, and also, because he was on the receiving end of a donated kidney when someone gave him a new life 30 some years ago when he was 18 months old, which humbled Michael to want to keep that cycle of donation alive. The family was able to participate in Michael's honor walk, a breathtaking moment, when friends, family and hospital staff line the halls as a hero who chose to be an organ donor makes their way to the operating room to save lives.

Michael was always trying to make people smile and he had a great sense of humor. He was an avid and lifelong Green Bay Packer fan. He was a guy who grew up loving to fish. Michael enjoyed cooking-especially homemade lasagna and pizza. He enjoyed spending time with family and helping Uncle Paul tearing down and rebuilding houses. He was a gentle, humble and loving soul and is deeply missed by all those whose lives he richly blessed.

Michael is survived by his wife, Alisha of Madison; parents, Amy Lawrence of Shullsburg, WI and John Lawrence of Stockton, Illinois; his favorite brother, Nicholas (wife Kristin) of Peoria, Illinois; nephew, Evan and niece, Leah; grandmothers, Joan Shireman of Stockton, Illinois and Jill Patrow, Shullsburg, WI; aunts, Lenora (Michael) Cherry of Benton, WI, Laurie (Ronald) Cutler of Linden WI, Deana (Dave Anderson) Shireman of St Croix Falls, WI, Kristie (Kiel) Gobeli of Bastrop, Texas, Jalaina (Ron) Fawcett, Cuba City, WI, and Viva (Al) Zink, Hazel Green, WI; uncles, Tim (Deana) Lawrence of Benton, WI, Paul Patrow, Shullsburg, WI, and Tom (Heidi) Patrow, Belleville, WI;  and many cousins.

Preceding Michael in death are grandparents Leonard Lawrence and Gertrude Lawrence, Gordy and Deb Patrow; great-grandmother; Irene Evans; and uncle, Shawn Lawrence.

Consider being an organ/tissue donor by adding that orange sticker to your license. Or if you’d like to know more about being a living donor, please go to https://www.uwhealth.org/living-donor.

FAMILY & FRIENDS are invited to a celebration of life, as we share our fondest memories of Michael, August 5th, 1-4:00 p.m. at Lawrence's Pub & Eatery in Benton, Wisconsin.