Daniel Edward Lau

DANIEL "DAN" EDWARD LAU, age 68 of the town of Schley, died on April 9, 2026 at Aspirus Wausau hospital with his loving wife and caregiver at his side.

Born in Wisconsin Rapids on November 20, 1957, Dan was the son of Richard L. and Shirley M. (Stensberg) Lau. He began his schooling at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Wisconsin Rapids from kindergarten thru grade 8, then transferred to Wisconsin Rapids public school for grades 9-12, graduating with the class of 1975. He joined the United States Navy Construction Battalion under the delayed enlistment program, first doing active duty then reserves for a number of years. Dan enjoyed carpentry and excelled at trim and finish carpentry. He later installed fiber optic lines for phone and internet service, delivered packages for FedEx and Waltco before his final employment of driving semi and hauling pulpwood for Jake Henrichs Trucking. The best perk of that job was getting to see his grandchildren every work day as he picked up and returned his truck to Jake and Ashley's home. He retired in 2019 due to declining health.

Dan married Joy Spaulding on July 14, 1984. That union produced 3 daughters and later ended in divorce on November 5, 1993.

Dan met the love of his life and soul mate, Ruth Nelson, in 1995 and they exchanged vows on July 26, 1996, a union that lasted almost 30 years. Dan joked that he married a nurse to take care of him. That turned out to be a wise decision on his part as the many health challenges that he faced in the last years of his life were easier to face with a nurse at his side to help navigate the health system.

Even though Dan grew up in the city, he had a dream of owning a wooded lot to build a house on. That dream was fulfilled in 2000 when he and Ruth built their home in the town of Schley and continued to live their until the time of Dan's death. Being a carpenter, he made sure to design it so that it accommodated a wheelchair and everything that he needed to access was on the main level. He was proud to have completed the trim work in the house with Ruth helping with the staining and varnishing.

Dan was happy when he could be out in the woods, planting seeds in the ground and spending time with the grandchildren. He especially enjoyed teaching them how to splash in puddles and other things that their mothers might not have been especially happy with. He also shared his love of reading with them and books were always part of birthday and Christmas gifts.

Dan is survived by his wife, Ruth Nelson-Lau of Merrill (town of Schley); daughters Jennifer Lau of Wausau, Ashley (Jake) Henrichs and their children Evan, Emma, Elizabeth, Eve Lynn, and Edward of Medford, and Krista (Jason) Johnson and their children Lilian, Nikolai and Silas of Brainerd, MN. Also brothers Richard D. Lau (Cindy) of Wisconsin Rapids and Todd Lau (Carrie) of Tomahawk and sister Sandra (Ron) Meyers of Wisconsin Rapids. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Emma and Edward Stensberg and Richard G. and Henrietta Lau, aunt Joyce Stensberg, aunts, uncles, cousins, a great niece and great nephew.

Dan faced his failing health with courage until his body couldn't fight any longer. He would encourage everyone to take care of your health and live every day to the fullest as you don't know how long you have on this earth. Special thanks to the staff at the Aspirus Kidney Care and Dialysis Clinic for the wonderful care they provided for the past 5 plus years. You were like family to us, you made this journey easier to navigate. Also to Dr. Sheehan and nurse Lee Ann for taking my calls and answering all of my questions about adrenal insufficiency. Your help was greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Dan's memory or make a donation to your favorite charity.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com