Dr. Lawrence 'Larry' Watson

DR. LAWRENCE "LARRY" WATSON

Asbury

Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Watson, 69, of Asbury, Iowa, formerly of Madison, Wis., died Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd., Dubuque, Iowa, handled the arrangements. A livestream of the funeral service is available on the funeral home's Facebook page.

Larry was born Aug. 15, 1952, in Osage, Iowa, to Dr. Charles F. Watson and Mary Sue (Kennedy) Watson. He attended Fairfield High School, spent a year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and completed his undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Dentistry at the University of Iowa. Larry married Patricia Wessol in 1980 in Madison. The two later divorced. In 2009, Larry's best friend Dr. Dan Engelbrecht and his wife, Sue, introduced him to the love of his life, Hania (Laskowska) Mormann. In 2015, the couple was married at the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Larry warmly welcomed Hania's children, Annie and Daniel, into his family as his own.

Larry lived life to the fullest and was always up for an adventure. His happiness and carefree attitude were contagious. He was known for always joking and his incredibly giving soul, whether it be sharing his musical talents, supporting countless local artists or graciously giving to his favorite charities.

Larry started his dental career in 1979, acquiring a practice in Madison. He served the local community for 22 years and sold his practice in 1999. Larry continued practicing dentistry as a Locum Tenens Dentist in Wisconsin and frequently traveled to South Dakota to serve the Native American reservations. He expanded his impact by joining the VA Madison Healthcare team and practicing as a dentist for five years, retiring in 2016. Larry's patients remember his kind, compassionate, and gentle nature.

In his retirement, Larry loved traveling, golf, the Iowa Hawkeyes, spending time with Hania at their Galena hobby farm, and their dog, Willa. Perhaps what he loved most of all was doing whatever he could to make Hania happy.

Left to honor Larry's memory are his wife, Hania; his stepdaughter ,Annie (Jeff) Koelker of Asbury; and stepson, Daniel (Lily) Mormann of Madison; grandchildren, Lucy and Charlie Koelker and Mae Mormann; siblings, Jim (Bette) Watson of San Antonio, Texas, Dick (Mary Ann) Watson of Seguin, Texas, and Tom (Kathleen) Watson of White Bear Lake, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his father and mother.

As his final act of kindness, Larry's brain has been donated to the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he will aid researchers in studying dementia.

Hania and Larry's family would like to thank the staff of Home Instead, Finley Hospital Summit Health Center, and countless friends, neighbors and community leaders for their thoughtful care of Larry. A special thanks to Angela W. Hubanks, PA-C of Grand River Medical Group, for her guidance and compassion.

For those wishing to honor Dr. Larry Watson's memory, a donation can be made to the Caregiver Resource Center at Stonehill Communities. Visit stonehilldbq.com/donate/ and designate the donation to the Caregiver Resource Center.