Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAUSAU, Wis. - Lawrence L. Sobolewski, 85, of Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Thursday evening, Sept. 29, 2016, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, with his loving family by his side.
He was born April 22, 1931, in Ironwood Township, son of the late Bruno and Romanda (Kowalkoski) Sobolewski. He attended Ironwood elementary schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1949. He then entered the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in Korea in the 2nd Infantry Division, receiving, among numerous medals and citations, the Purple Heart for being wounded in action on Nov. 25, 1950.
Following his honorable discharge as a sergeant on Aug. 28, 1952, Larry returned to Ironwood, attending Gogebic Community College for two years and completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1956. He then taught and was an elementary principal for ten years, and received a Master of Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1965. He was assistant superintendent in the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District for two years and served as elementary principal in the Hurley School District for 27 years, retiring in 1995.
Larry was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Wisconsin Education Association and the Optimist Club in Rhinelander. He enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in all of their sporting and school activities.
On Aug. 15, 1953, he was united in marriage to Judith Hautamaki at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Fr. Frank Ronkowski.
Surviving are his wife, Judy, of 63 years; four sons, Greg (Susan), Winona, Minn., Rob (Jane), Ironwood, Jim (Lisa), Wausau, and Tom (Anna), Cincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren, David (Katie) Sobolewski, Amy (Dan) Shay, John (Lauren) Sobolewski, Jared and Ryan Sobolewski, Ava and Camille Sobolewski, and Luke and Scott Sobolewski; one great-grandson, Jack; two brothers, Tony (Millie), Alpena, Mich., and Jerome, Iron Mountain, Mich .; a sister, Helen Graykoski, Bloomer, Wis .; brother-in-law, Charles Hautamaki, Wakefield, Mich .; sisters-in-law, Eileen Kelly, Bend, Ore., and Sharon (Brian) Laabs, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Larry was predeceased by brothers, John and Steve; and sisters, Jo Makinen and Stella Brady.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Larry Van Damme, celebrant.
Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.
Lunch will be served in the parish hall upon return from the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David, John, Jared and Ryan Sobolewski, and Amy and Dan Shay.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette St., Ironwood, MI 49938.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
