Eileen C. Lau

Eileen Lau, age 97, passed away peacefully on January 28th 2025 at Tabor Oaks, Oakwood Village, Madison, Wisconsin. Eileen Caroline Lanzendorf was born on September 21st 1927 to Lydia Minnie Manke and Alfred Henry William Lanzendorf in Portage, Wisconsin. Eileen spent her early years on a farm in Leeds, Wisconsin and then later in Poynette, Wisconsin, where she lived until graduating from Poynette High School in 1945. After graduation, Eileen moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she meet Carson Lau. Over time they fell in love and married on January 1st, 1949. A few years later they welcomed their first child, Curt in 1954 and then their second child, Cindy in 1957.

Having grown up during the depression, Eileen prided herself on stretching a dollar. Finding a fantastic bargain was one of her great joys! She worked hard managing home and family until she and Carson successfully raised both children and sent them off to college. Then Eileen moved on to the next phase of her life. Ready to tackle a new challenge, she joined the cafeteria staff at the Brookfield Central High School. Eileen enjoyed serving the students and watching them grow up. After many years, she and Carson were ready to retire and see the world. They enjoyed many trips with her sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Eldon Hall. Her favorites were riding a train through the Canadian Rockies and an excursion through Alaska.

Eileen was a faithful Christian throughout her life, always trusting in Jesus through joy and pain. She enjoyed many decades of love with her husband and children. Eileen eventually lost Carson, Curt and Cindy, but she never lost her faith. She lived the “Golden Rule,” invariably showing kindness and love at ever opportunity. Eileen and Carson raised a wonderful family, enjoyed life and shared many vacations with their grandchildren.

Eileen will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Joel and Annie Gaston, and Carson and Griffin Lau, her son-in-law Dave Gaston, and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Carson, son Curt and daughter Cindy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11th at 1 PM, located at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, Wisconsin. Funeral services will begin at 2 PM. Burial will occur at 3:30 PM of the same day at Hillside Cemetery in Poynette, WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434