Obituary: Lawrence “Doctor I.” Solway Iverson, Jr.

Feb. 6, 1943 – Jan. 25, 2024

Lawrence Solway Iverson, Jr., “Larry” and “Doctor I.” to those who knew and loved him, 80, of the Town of Sevastopol, died Thursday morning, Jan. 25, 2024.

He was born Feb. 6, 1943 in Sturgeon Bay, the youngest of six children born to Lawrence Solway Iverson, Sr. and Charlotte Roberts (Kirch) Iverson.

Larry grew up attending the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. His great-great-grandfather, Rev. Andreas Iverson, immigrated to the United States from Norway, initially as a Lutheran pastor, and eventually learned of the (Christian) Moravian faith. (Rev. Iverson) founded the Ephraim Moravian Church in the late 1850s, the first church in Door County. 

Larry attended Sevastopol School and was an excellent wrestler in high school. It was during a wrestling match that he spotted his future wife, Sharon Elaine Paschke (daughter of Henry “Hank” and Dorothy (Krauel) Paschke), in the bleachers during one of his matches. Sharon asked Larry to be her date for the Sadie Hawkins dance, and the rest is history. Larry graduated from Sevastopol High School with the Pioneer class of 1962.

He enlisted in the United States Marines with his best buddy, Reuben Johnson, entering into active service on May 31, 1962. Larry was an excellent marksman and was awarded the Sharpshooters Badge. Upon his discharge from the Marines on August 18, 1965, he returned home to Sturgeon Bay.

Larry and Sharon were married the following year on Jan. 22, 1966 at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay. They resided together on Bay Shore Drive in the Town of Sevastopol.

Larry was initially employed with Peterson Builders, Inc. (PBI) in Sturgeon Bay as manager of warehouse 50 and helped organize the annual picnic for the company. He remained with PBI until its closing.

Larry went to work for Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort on Bay Shore Drive as part the maintenance staff, but soon became the “pool boy.” He retired from Westwood Shores after 20+ years.

Larry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and chopping wood. He and Sharon were blessed three sons (Scott, James, and Christopher) and over 58 years of marriage. Larry’s faith provided a foundation for his life and that of his family’s. As he grew up in the Moravian Church, and Sharon initially at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Valmy, then St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, upon getting married, they LOVED attending THEIR church, the First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay where Larry was presently a member.

Larry will be missed by his beloved wife, Sharon; sons, Scott (Lisa) Iverson of the Town of Sevastopol, James (Tina) Iverson of Luxemburg, and Christopher Iverson (special friend Kendra) of the Town of Sevastopol; grandchildren, Dylon (Courtney Tebo) Iverson, and Taylor (Jacob) Keip, twins Sarah Iverson and Andrew (Lauryn Vanden Plas) Iverson, and Heather Iverson; great-grandchildren, Parker and Braxton Iverson; sister-in-law, Lynne (Ken Urban) Rabach of Brussels; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; grandson, Conor Iverson; siblings, Cedric (Kathy) Iverson, John (Mary Jane) Iverson and sisters, Mary (Ralph) Bean, Pat (Don) Baierl, and Nancy Iverson; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Bill) Knudson and Carol (Elton) Jeanquart; and other relatives.

Larry’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service held at 11 am on Monday, Jan, 29, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay, 610 N. 5th Avenue, Pastor Cory Dahl officiating. Military honors by the Northeast Wisconsin Marine Corps League Detachment 1130 will follow at the church. Larry will be laid to rest beside his family in Bayside Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Monday from 9 until 10:45 am. Memorials may be given in Larry’s name for the First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay.

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Iverson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Lawrence may be shared with his family through his tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com