Lawrence "Larry" James Marowsky

“The Great Pipe Organ in Heaven must need tuning, for the Master Organ Tuner was called to service it this evening.”

On Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026, Lawrence (Larry) James Marowsky was called to his Heavenly home.

Larry was born on November 26, 1933, in Owosso, Michigan, the only child of Carl and Bertha Marowsky. He attended Salem Evangelical Lutheran School in Owosso and later Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw. In 1956, he graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College (MLC) with a bachelor’s degree and went on to earn a master’s degree from Marquette University.

While in college, Larry met the love of his life, Helen Jean Roehler, at a Sadie Hawkins Dance. They were married on July 19, 1958, and shared 47 years of marriage until Helen’s passing on July 3, 2005.

Larry devoted his life to Christian education and church music. He taught 5th and 6th grade at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School in Milwaukee from 1956 to 1970, where he also served as organist and choir director. In 1970, he accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Jefferson, Wisconsin, teaching 7th and later 5th grade until his retirement in 1989. He continued his musical service there as organist, choir director, and a faithful member of the St. John’s Male Chorus.

Larry’s lifelong passion for music began early. He started piano lessons in second grade, inspired in part by his Uncle Irwin, a movie theater organist who also repaired organs. Irwin supplied him with old organ parts to tinker with—sparking a fascination that grew into a remarkable talent for building and maintaining pipe organs. In 1955, Larry transformed a reed organ into a functioning pipe organ, constructing it in the basement of his family home in Owosso. That organ still stands today in the basement of his home in Jefferson.

After retiring from teaching, Larry founded LJM Pipe Organ Technician, dedicating his time to building, repairing, and maintaining pipe organs across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He played a key role in the ongoing care of the Casavant organ at St. John’s in Jefferson. He was also an active member of the Organ Historical Society and attended many conventions throughout the country. Larry continued to share his musical gifts by playing monthly services at St. John Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, Wisconsin.

Larry is survived by his five children: Paul (Sue Pantazon) of Johnson Creek; Gerald (Dawn Gronholz) of Oak Creek; Beth (Rob) Leach of Waupaca; Cheryl (Chris) Hammer of New Glarus; and Todd of Jefferson. He is further survived by his sister‑in‑law Ardith Roehler; cousin Edith Zickuhr; grandchildren Aaron, Brian, Eric, Lauren, Elisabeth, Nate, Jordan, Joshua, Maddi, Kenzie, Mariah, and Mason; and great‑grandchildren Fiadh and Gatlin.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Home Again Assisted Living in Cambridge, Wisconsin, AGRACE Hospice, and all who provided compassionate care to Larry in his final days.

Visitation will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Jefferson, Wisconsin (232 E Church St, Jefferson, WI 53549) on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, with a Christian memorial service to follow.

Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Forward in Faith or AGRACE Hospice.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13 (KJV)