Howard Francis Look

Henry Francis Look, a lifetime resident of Milwaukee, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, at age 96. Henry literally grew up in the hardware business. His father, Frank Look, established Look Hardware in the busy business district on South 13th Street. Henry eventually bought Look Hardware and continued to live above the hardware store. Henry met Anna Mary Baurenfeind of Racine who became the love of his life. They married on Thanksgiving Day in 1950, and their union produced 6 children. Henry's hardware store literally carried almost any item a household could need, and he provided services to customers "the way service used to be". His children remember seeing him providing a myriad of services such as threading pipes, caulking new glass panes, cutting keys, and mixing paints as examples. When the 1970's arrived, Milwaukee experienced a recession, and big box stores took away much of the business from Look Hardware. Henry left the hardware business and went to work for the City of Milwaukee's Purchasing Department. Literally every item the city purchased (from nuts and bolts to fire engines) passed through Henry's desk in Requisitions.

Henry had a true love affair with fishing, and in particular at Lake Beulah near Mukwonago. He passed this passion along to some of his children, along with an enjoyment of golf. Henry was not a man of many words, but a man whose words were direct and to the point (no B.S.) and often delivered with a dry sense of humor. He was a husband and father who deeply loved his family. He was honest, hard-working, kind, modest, and a man of faith. He will be missed by his family and by all those who knew him. He is survived by his 6 children: Mary (Robert), Francis, Christopher, Matthew (Paula), Jane (Robert), and Clare (K.C.), 5 grandchildren: Chad, Andrew (LeAnne), Michael (Katie), Ashley (Ruben), and Solomon (Lauren), and 7 great- grandchildren: Riley, Francesca, Jacqueline, Victoria, Henry, Levi and Weston.

We want to add a heartfelt thanks to our brother, Christopher Look. Words are not enough to describe the love and amazing care he provided to our father in his remaining years. We truly believe that his care enabled our father to live a long life and remain in his home until his final days.

We also wish to thank the Medical/Hospice Teams who provided care to our father during his final days at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center.

In-lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center - Health Care Foundation. Services are pending.