Debra J. Lau

 Debra J. Lau, age 56, of Cassville, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 26, 2009, at the  Finley Hospital in  Dubuque. She was born on June 27, 1953, in Portage, WI, the daughter of Harold and Gladys (Major) Bethke. Debra graduated from  Cassville High School in 1971. She furthered her education at the  University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse where she earned a degree in teaching in 1975. On July 23, 1977, she was united in marriage to John Lau at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville. Debra was employed with the  Cassville School system from 1979 through the present. She enjoyed reading, gardening, camping and traveling with friends. Debra loved spending time with her family and attending her childrens activities. The students and teachers in Cassville were a very important part of her life. Debra was an avid Green Bay Packers and Brewers fan. She was a member of the Cassville Homemakers and the Cassville United Methodist Womens Group.

Survivors include her husband, John Lau, Cassville; her children: Katie Lau, Grinnell, IA; Maggie (Dan) K., Fennimore; Ashley Lau, LaCrosse; one granddaughter, Keira K., Fennimore; her parents: Harold and Gladys Bethke, Platteville; her brother and sister: Scott (Dawn) Bethke, Sun Prairie; Jane (Bill) Russell, Verona; and her mother-in-law, Ruth Lau, Cassville; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Carl Lau and a grandson, Ryker K.

Funeral services were held on  Thursday, July 30, 2009, at  10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father John Norder officiating and Pastor Mary Ann Floerke assisting. Burial will be at St. Marys  Settlement Cemetery,  Cassville Township. Friends called on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until  8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Cassville and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services on Thursday at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Debra J. Lau memorial fund was established.

If love could have saved you. . . you would have lived forever.