Larry Thorson
October 26, 1951 ~ October 29, 2022
Larry Thorson, 71, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died October 29, 2022, in the ICU at St. Luke's Hospital. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services: 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, Cedar Rapids. Inurnment: 1 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
He is survived by wife, Joan; son, Erik, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister, Kathy and brother-in-law, Ron Esper of Erie, Pennsylvania; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Ingeborg and Thor Thorson; maternal grandparents, Guy and Alice Boldan; parents, Oliver and Margaret Thorson; step-mother, Leone Thorson; and sister, Jean Lent.
Larry was born on October 26, 1951, in Charles City, Iowa, and lived his first two years in Urbandale, Iowa, then moved to Albia, Iowa, where he went on to graduate from high school. He attended the University of Iowa for four years, meeting Joan at the start of their junior year. He earned his JD from the University of Iowa Law School in1973.
Larry and Joan were married after he passed the Bar Exam. They lived in Davenport, Iowa, where Larry served as law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clay LeGrand. He then joined the Goldberg, Mayne, Probasco and Berenstein law firm in Sioux City, Iowa. After moving to Cedar Rapids in 1981, he joined the White and Warbasse law firm, leaving two years later to form the Thorson and Mundy law firm. In 1986, the firm became Thorson & Meyer. In 1990, Larry joined the Ackley, Kopecky & Kingery law firm where he practiced law until he passed.
Larry served a term as President of Peoples Church and President of the CR Medical Aid Fund. He was a former president of the Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club, board member and former president of the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, former treasurer and board member of Leadership for Five Seasons, and a former board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He was general counsel for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity and Friends of India Association, Cedar Rapids.
For recreation, he enjoyed playing golf, and participating in an international dinner group and a Canasta card group. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his many friends. He was known for his quick wit and good-natured kidding.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the organizations listed above.
Please share your support and memories with Larry's family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
I already miss so many things about this incredibly kind, smart and dryly hilarious man. And I will forever cherish him for his abundant generosity, as well as his rock-solid sense for doing what’s right and just. Larry lived that out in many ways, perhaps most notably in helping to provide hundreds of CR-area families with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own through Habitat for Humanity. He was unwavering in his support for more than 30 years. What a guy. Deepest sympathies to Joan, Erik and all who love Larry.
Amen, Jeff. Amen.
Larry will truly be missed. Ive known Larry for thirty years, he was our personal lawyer, a fellow CR Noon Lions member and a golfing friend.
Larry was such a mild mannered person. Quiet demeanor with a quick smile. I guess sometimes the good do die young.
Joan and Erik, my most sincere condolences to you both. Though I didnt know Larry personally, I felt as though I did through our wonderful conversations. Healing hugs and prayers to you both.
Larry was my Uncle and motivated me to go to Law School and become a lawyer. I last spent time with him when he and Joan and Erik came for my daughter’s wedding just last year. We had a great visit. I will always treasure our sporadic long distance chats about the events of the day and remembering my Mom, his Big Sister and old times. He will be missed. Thom Lent.
Joan and Erik, Bryan and I are so shocked and sorry for your loss. We visited with Larry in his office Wednesday afternoon. He was a good friend, the only attorney we’ve ever had, and had our full trust. He lived his values and he will be sorely missed. Bryan and Kris Davis
It will be different at our Cedar Rapids Noon Lion’s Club and golfing with our golf buddies. We’ll miss your dry humor and quick anecdotes! God bless.
Larry was a man of few words-I got to know him over the years and was a very kind man and was always positive-He will be missed by all. Randy Fisher Pool and Spa Warehouse.
After practicing law with Larry for 32 years he became a fixture at the office, a fixture that we can never replace. I can still see him walking around the office and sitting at his messy desk. Thank goodness we were able to celebrate his birthday with his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Seeing his closed office door is incredibly sad because we didn’t get to tell him that he will be missed.
Karen Volz
Larry. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? You taught me so much in the short time I worked for you. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to make chocolate chip cookies again without thinking of you.
Larry has been guiding our business through the legal threads of real estate law for the past 25+ years. I always looked forward to those one on one meetings just to be in the presence of that renowned wicked wit & sense of humor! Our condolences to family and friends. He will be missed.
Penny & Troy Berry
We are saddened to learn of Larry’s death.
Joan, I’m so sorry to read about Larry’s passing and wishing you all the best. Loved our days at the Unitarian Church and the support of my candidacy. Peace.
Larry… although I only knew you a short time (and during that time you never pronounced my name correctly) I will truly miss your presence in the office. The random late night conflict check emails or stopping in my office to ask me to find a case or statute that would help your case, will always be remembered.
Joan and Erik – Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss of Larry. We go back to the early 80’s and our New U class when we joined Peoples Church. Larry has been coming to lunch every Wednesday, starting at Papa Juan’s, for over 40 years and will be sorely missed. He was such a great friend. His passing will take a lot of time to adjust to his absence.
Chip & Cathy Kensinger
I was shocked to learn of Larry’s death. I knew Larry when he was just a little boy in Charles City. His sister, Kathy, was my best friend. I lost touch with the family when they moved away and was able to reconnect with Larry just a couple years ago, here in Cedar Rapids.
My condolences and sincere sympathy to Joan and the family.
Sending you love, with cherished and fond memories of Uncle Larry, the Thomas, Jaime, and Rodney Lent Families.
It’s just not going to be the same at the office without you walking by my desk numerous times throughout the day, stopping to ask me for the weather forecast for your golf game, to talk (although we mostly complained this year) about the Hawkeyes, or to make some quick witted comment about something, anything. My sincerest condolences to your family. Your work family is certainly going to miss you!
To Joan, Larry’s family, and all those who knew and loved Larry Thorson. Larry was a great example of a caring and considerate human being, and he left Joan and this world much too soon. My deepest condolences. Floyd Sandford
With deepest sympathy.
I was shocked and saddened to see of your passing today. For over the last 30 years you have helped my family and I with our legal problems and over the years I have sent many more to benefit from your wise counsel and skill. Over the decades my family and I have felt you more of a friend then a lawyer, in fact for as great a lawyer as you were we felt you were even a greater friend. You will be sorely missed friend!
What a shock to hear of Larry’s passing. Larry was always the calming voice of reason. He did much good in this world, and I’m glad to have known him.
For our good friend at Peoples UU Church and other social connections.
My sincere sympathy. Larry was not only my attorney but a fellow Lion and a friend. I am deeply sorry. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
I am so saddened to hear this! What an amazing man and dedicated community supporter. I so enjoyed working with Larry on the Habitat Board. My deepest condolences to you, all.
I am saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a servant leader in all regards. His passion for and leadership within Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity was unparalleled. He will be greatly missed by many. Prayers to Larry’s family and friends.
Deepest sympathies during this time.
Please accept our deepest condolences and know that we are holding your family in our hearts and lifting you in prayer.
My heart is broken. I have known Larry for over forty years as a friend and my lawyer. I knew him through Peoples Church and watched his family grow with the birth of his son, Erik. Our friendship continued with Wednesday lunches that began in Papa Juan’s. I will miss his laughter and his wit. I always had to pay attention when he spoke so as to not miss a single word. He will be missed immensely. Rosie Rimrodt
You are in my thoughts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Joan and Erik,
You have our deepest sympathies for your loss. Larry’s passing comes with much sadness. I first met Larry when I joined the Thursday Noon Lions – that was 40 years ago. He has since become a good friend, golfing partner, and my attorney. I’ll miss most the “Iowa – Iowa State” banter with each other, particularly when the annual football game came around. I will remember the moment when Larry and I were talking and we discovered that we were going to be in Door County at the same time! Having dinner at the Coyote Roadhouse by Bailey’s Harbor with my wife Deb and the three of you will be a fond lifelong memory.
We’ll keep you both in our thoughts and prayers.
Dwight & Deb Dohlman
Although I only knew Larry for a short time, he had a profound impact on my life. Larry hired me on as one of his legal assistants, and was the first professional employer to provide me with a chance to dip my toes into the legal field post-college. He had the best dry sense of humor and was incredibly kind, caring, thoughtful, and possessed a wealth of knowledge. I already miss his daily sarcastic greetings, our comedic banter, and his warm demeanor. I am forever grateful for the short time that I had with this one of a kind man, and I hope to be half the attorney he was one day.
Larry, I can’t thank-you enough for giving me a chance and making me feel seen. You are greatly missed by myself, and so many others.
Lots of memories about LARRY…many Christmas parties we sat with Larry and Joan…..We are unable to attend funeral as Sally had Gluteal tendon repair surgery Endoscopy at Mayo on Sept 22…still recuperating but our thought and prayers are with you….we are in shock actually……Gene just chatted with him on the phone a couple of weeks ago…was so great to get a call from Larry. So so sorry Joan and Erik……his memory will live on and he will be in our hearts forever and ever.
When thinking of Larry, the words gentle, kind and generous come to mind. He will be missed by many.
I was on a few community boards with Larry. He was always well prepared and had a calming effect when the topic was controversial. He quiet way and wit was always appreciated. He left the world a better place.
Larry and I practiced together briefly when we were both young associates with Goldberg, Mayne, Probasco & Berenstein in Sioux City. In addition to being a smart and resourceful young lawyer, he had a wonderful, dry sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to Larry’s family and colleagues…I know he will be sorely missed. Cindy Moser
I am very sad and shocked to hear of Larry’s passing. As I write this, I shed a tear, but I also can hear Larry’s voice of sarcasm and quick wit, which makes me smile. I am blessed to have such fond memories. I loved working with Larry. What a quiet, gentle soul with a keen sense of humor. You will be truly missed, my friend. My sympathies to Larry’s family. Peace be with you knowing he touched so many lives and his memory will live on.
Peace be with you, Larry, as you embark on your next journey. You will be remembered. Thank you for being my friend.
Dan and I was so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing – what a great loss. I knew him first through Joan at Peoples Church – particularly remembering the joyful Sisterhood Dinners – but also through imaf and other groups. We enjoyed his quiet wit and consideration as our lawyer, too. Joan and Erik, our deepest condolences as you say goodbye to a remarkable person.
Marcy Mattison & Dan Meiners
Remembering Larry, honoring his legacy.
Larry was my family’s lawyer and helped us through many legal situations. I am grateful for everything that he did for us. He was always a voice of reason and I knew I could count on him to be fair and provide excellent legal counsel. We will really miss him. So sorry for your sudden loss.