Lawrence W. Chick

Larry was born July 17, 1937, in McKeesport, Pa. and grew up in Canton, Ohio. During his high school years he worked in a drug store to earn money for college and found what would become a rewarding career that he was passionate about. He graduated from The Ohio State University with his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1961.

Larry served in the National Guard from 1961-1964, working as a pharmacist specialist during the Vietnam Conflict. He ran his own pharmacy in Lima, Ohio until 1983, when he moved the family to Kingsford. Here, he started Chick’s Health Mart in Iron Mountain, later opening a second pharmacy in Norway. He finished his pharmacy career at the age of 78, after retiring from K-mart in 2015 as a traveling pharmacist.

Larry enjoyed many things and was always eager to learn something new or try something interesting. Throughout his life he enjoyed woodworking and often used tools that were passed down to him from his father. He learned to fly, earning his private pilot’s license in 1979.

Larry and loving wife Sharon loved to snowbird in their 5th wheel camper. One winter they pulled it all the way to the southern border of Mexico, which was an experience that provided the source of many fond tales he would tell. Larry had a great sense of humor and was known as a bit of a prankster, especially on the phone to telemarketers. He loved to travel and was keenly interested and proud of his Lithuanian and Polish roots.

Among his many passions, Larry particularly enjoyed working his property in Aurora, Wis. He and Sharon transformed a quiet woods home into an estate with park-like qualities. They were often complimented on the setting they created, especially along the Pemebonwon River that ran through it. It became the site of many family gatherings, graduation parties and weddings.

Larry loved working their gardens with Sharon which also included a variety of fruit trees and a vineyard, all of which they started from scratch. He created his own wine and juices and was known for his famous chili and bread & butter pickles harvested from the bounty of those gardens. You could often find him “playing tractor” throughout the property on his “Geisha Girl,” a heated cab, orange machine with all the attachments.

As a veteran, he spent many hours volunteering at the Oscar G. Johnson VAMC front desk as a greeter for many years. A gifted conversationalist, Larry loved to talk with all the vets who walked through the doors. He would often speak of how much of a humbling experience it could be at times. He was intensely proud of his service, his fellow veterans and his country.

But more than anything, he loved his family so much. He was proud of all his kids and loved spending time with them. Larry will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Chick (Bjorkman); his brother, David (Margie) Chick; his children, Lieutenant Commander Lawrence J. “Sonny” (Michelle) Chick, Michelle (Tony) Berger, Beth Johnson and Scott Johnson, Susan (Bob) Strang, Allen (Tina) Bjorkman and Amy Jo (Peter) Rettler; his grandchildren, Lawrence D.“David” Chick, Ashly Chick, Samantha Chick, Aaron Chick, Ben Johnson, Daniel Rettler, Kevin (Brooke) St. Arnauld, Bobbie Jean (Jon) Huerth, Kristi St. Arnauld, Candace (John) Rogers, Dustin (Kenzie) Bjorkman, Tanya Carter, Tiffany Thorland, Tyler Thorland; and 18 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence G. and Helen Chick (Cedar); and brother, Donald Chick.

A visitation for Lawrence will be held Wednesday Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. A memorial service will follow at noon with Paster Bob Malsack officiating.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lawrence Chick online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.