Larry D. Magee

Larry D. Magee, 78, a lifelong resident of Lake Geneva, WI, passed away Tuesday April 9, 2013 after a brief illness.  Larry Douglas Magee was born in Madison, Wisconsin on March 24, 1935 the son of the late Claire and Gladys (Zwolanek) Magee.  He graduated from Lake Geneva High School in 1953 and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  He then began a career working at the Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company for the next 38 years.  On June 13, 1959 he married Verne Andresen in Lake Geneva.  He attended Community Church of Elkhorn and lived a life of faith with concern for others.
He served in the United States Army in 1956 and was called to active duty again during the Bay of Pigs and was stationed in Anniston, Alabama.  He returned to work for AT & T throughout southeastern Wisconsin, retiring in the fall of 1994.  Larry then became a commercial bus driver for 8 years and 5 of those he chose to drive children from the Delavan School for the Deaf and the Janesville school for the blind who traveled home on weekends.  They and their families considered him a very special and caring person.  He stayed active throughout his retired years riding his motorcycle, visiting his grand-
children, traveling to Israel, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hawaii plus much of the United States.  He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers, American Motorcycle Association, NRA, and the Geneva Lake Museum.
Larry served the citizens of the 2nd district of Lake Geneva as Alderman from 1994 to 1998 and 2002 to 2008 and was a considerate moderate with respect for preservation yet a progressive view to the future. He also represented the council on the Water Commission from 2002 - 2008 and has recently been the secretary and serving as the citizen representative from 2008 -2013.  Larry was on various committees including Finance, Parking, Personnel and Public Works.  He was the first council representative to the Geneva Lake Museum and assisted them in a variety of duties...most recently as the masked skeleton behind the wheel of the old fire truck at Halloween.  Larry was a friend to many—always willing to help drive someone to doctor appointments, visit home bound locals, run an errand or have a cup of coffee and “shoot the breeze”.  He was overwhelmed by the kindness and outpouring during his illness and he will be missed by all.
Larry is survived by: his wife, Verne, his daughter Susan (Tom) Raia of Katy, TX, his son Brian Magee of  Lake Geneva, 2 grandchildren Natalie and Elliott Raia and grand-dog Harvey, sister-in-law Wanda Magee, and brother-in-law Dan (Roseanne) Andresen, nephew Kevin Andresen and niece Amy (Dan) Moses.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Carl.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Tuesday June 25, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Geneva Lake Museum; Reverend Robert Pfeiffer  of the  Community Church of Elkhorn will officiate.                                                                                                                                                                 Memorial contributions in Larry's name are welcome at the Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 or the Community Church of Elkhorn, PO Box 959, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
Many thanks for the thoughtful expressions of love and concern shown to him and the care he received during his illness. The Derrick Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Magee family with arrangements.  To sign the on-line guest registry please go to: www.derrickfuneralhome.com.

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