Lawrence G. "Patcha" Vandevoorde, 85, of Pence, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, at Court Manor Nursing Home in Ashland.      He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Iron Belt, son of the late Raymond and Godelieve (DeLodder) Vandevoorde, and graduated from Iron Belt High School in 1944. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.      Following his discharge, he returned to Iron Belt where he was self-employed in the woods. He then worked in the Cary Mine until its closing and briefly at White Pine Copper Co., retiring as an assessor for the State of Wisconsin after 20 years of service in 1985.      Lawrence was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley and the former St. Anthony's and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Pence. He was a life member and past quartermaster and chaplain of Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580 and life member of Hurley American Legion Post 58. He also served on the Iron County Board of Supervisors for 17 years. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping, and spending time on his 40-acre parcel of land. He loved playing cribbage and was a master gardener.      On June 24, 1950, he was married to Jean "Lolly" Brackett at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Pence by the late Fr. Kolman. She survives.      Also surviving are a son, Gene (Mary), Green Bay; two daughters, Judy (Si) Uutala, St.Paul, Minn., and Joan Decur, Green Bay; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Donna), Iron Belt; sister, Jean (Frank) Grasso, Pence; brothers-in-law, Earl Brackett, Pence, and Gordon Brackett, Huntington Beach, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Elaine Mueller, Belgium, Wis.      Besides his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Marie Vandevoorde at age two, and Clara Gotta.      Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 10, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.      Full military honors will be accorded at the church by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron Co. VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.      Rite of Committal and private interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery, Iron Belt, in the spring.      Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Matt, Jason and Shaun Decur, Eric Uutala and Brian Vandevoorde.      In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Wisconsin Chapter, 2900 Curry Lane, Suite A, Green Bay, WI 54311.      Condolences may be given to Lawrence's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.