Retired Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Larry Seever, age 83, of Sarona, WI, died Monday, May 19, 2025 in Eau Claire surrounded by his family members.

Larry was born on September 14, 1941 in Sarona, WI to Harry and Marjorie (Nussberger) Seever. He entered the US Navy on Dec 9,1958 at age 17 and started his 20-year career at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. He served aboard several vessels in the Pacific but was mostly stationed at land-based facilities around the world. He earned his GED and BS degree while in the Navy and was ranked an ETC/E7 (Electronics Technician). He retired from the Navy in the fall of 1978 and after a couple of local short-term jobs, he started his second career working as an Industrial Technologist at the 3M Company in Menomonie, WI until full retirement.

Larry married Janice Downing from Braham, MN in 1963 and had three children, Gray, Shelly, and Shawn. The family was stationed at several Naval bases over his career and most notably Adak, Alaska, and Ethiopia, Africa. In 1982 he married Nancy Anderson from Wheeler, WI and they lived in Colfax, WI. Then in 1986 he searched and found his high school sweetheart,Gwendolyn (Stouffer) Melton from Shell Lake, WI and they married in 1988 at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Sarona, WI.

Larry, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. His journey on this earth was marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God His faith journey took him on mission trips to Somalia, Eritrea, Tanzania, and Mexico. His love of music was ever present as he would always be “singing and strumming” at Vacation Bible School or at family gatherings. He was a great entertainer. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Harry and MarjorieSeever, brothers Merle, Lyle, James, and Dale, sister Shirley Miller, second wife Nancy (Anderson) Seever, and third wife Gwen (Stouffer) Seever.

Larry is survived by his sister Marion Smetana (Frank), his three children, Gray Seever (Cheri Stilwell), Shelly Christopherson (Dean), Shawn Seever (Angie Scalzo), Stepchildren Arron Milton (Jean), Robert Milton (Jessica), Melissa Scott (Steven), Christina Milton (Kim Dahlstrom), James Milton (Stacey Brande), nieces/nephews, and many grand and great grandchildren.

Larry’s visitation (11:00 am) and service (12:00 pm) will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Stanfold Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, WI with internment in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the Stanfold Lutheran Church for the Rio Bravo Mission in Mexico.

Last Update: May 20, 2025 12:50 pm CDT