Douglas Arthur Lawver

Doug Lawver lived life to the fullest and served others with humility. He knew no strangers and left a big footprint on this earth.

He was a pillar of faith, a mentor, and a father figure for so many. Everywhere he went, he talked with strangers and spread laughter and joy. He was one of a kind, a legend, and God’s incredible gift to those who knew him. He made you feel comfortable and valued. He treated everyone the same and was never concerned about status or titles. He was compassionate, and it was a joy for him to serve others.

On Nov. 1, Douglas Arthur Lawver, of Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after having a stroke at 78 years old. The Celebration of Life is Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cross of Glory Baptist Church in Hopkins, followed by a luncheon. Interment will be held at Faith Rutz Lake Cemetery in Waconia at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.

When his family was traveling back home from a trip to South Dakota, Doug was born on Dec. 20, 1945, to Clinton Franklin Lawver and Marien Elizabeth (Just) in Le Mars, Iowa. Marien taught English, and Clinton had a master’s degree in math and history and was a superintendent. When Doug was 7 years old, his dad died of a heart attack. His mom remarried George Anderson, who died when Doug was 12 in a tractor accident. Because of this, Doug spent summers on his uncle’s ranch near Chamberlin, South Dakota. There he was one of 13 kids in a three-bedroom house with no running water. Doug always had a great work ethic. In high school, he worked at a small bakery in Manson starting at 4 a.m. each day.

After graduating high school in 1964, Doug joined the U.S. Army and served in the 9th Division, 3rd of the 5th Cavalry, C Troop, 3rd Platoon, for three years. He spent 18 months in Vietnam as a tank driver and helicopter gunner, followed by a transfer to the DMZ in South Korea.

Upon his honorable discharge, Doug enrolled at Fort Dodge Community College, earning an applied science degree in food market management. During his time in college, he met the love of his life, Nancy Ann Jensen. They married on June 7, 1969, and moved to Hopkins, where Doug studied baking at Dunwoody Technical College.

Doug worked in the Red Owl Bakery for 21 years, while Nancy was employed as a bookkeeper for Snyder Drug Stores. Together, they became charter members of Cross of Glory Church in Hopkins, where they have faithfully served for the past 55 years.

In 1970, Doug and Nancy welcomed the first of their five children. Doug traded in his cherished red convertible for a more practical family car – a station wagon. After several years living in a trailer park, they found their six-bedroom dream home in the rural community of Eden Prairie. Following the down payment, they had only a nickel left in their bank account.

Money was tight, but there was always enough food on the table and warm clothing for the Minnesota weather. Frequent trips to Sears Surplus on Penn Avenue helped make ends meet.

Doug and Nancy served as foster parents for 50 years to hundreds of Hennepin County children. They specialized in taking sibling groups in order to keep them together while they were away from their parents. In the later years, they took children with challenging medical conditions.

Doug had a big heart, an inviting sense of humor (sometimes inappropriate), and a quick ‘‘hello’’ to anyone around him. Doug started conversations with strangers in bank lines, on football fields at Flying Cloud, in basketball gyms in Eden Prairie, and on soccer fields across the Twin Cities – some of whom became close friends. Doug helped start the Eden Prairie Girls Basketball Association and coached some of his children and their friends.

Doug and Nancy took their kids and foster kids on camper trips across the United States, visiting 48 of our 50 states. At first, they traveled with a small trailer, upgraded to a larger Airstream, and then finally bought a motorhome to facilitate taking longer trips. Doug enjoyed boating, biking, waterskiing, fishing, jet skiing, snowmobiling, camping, and traveling. He also enjoyed spending time with his kids, his friends’ kids, and his grandkids at their sporting events and activities. He not only brought his own kids with him wherever he went, but also brought their friends along and paid for everything. He was a genius in the garage, able to fix anything that needed repair. He not only worked on his own cars but also helped many others with their cars and changed oil for many. After a snowstorm, Doug could be found snow blowing driveways up and down the block.

After the Red Owl Bakery closed, Doug worked as an industrial mechanic for Pies, Inc., and then as a maintenance worker for the City of Deephaven. Because of his mechanical skills, he was a valued and needed employee.

Doug enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He had a special relationship with each one of them, many with nicknames only Douggie could give them. He loved them deeply, was their biggest fan, and bragged about all of them.

Doug is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Andrew (Jennifer), Tammy (Andrew), Amy (Richard), Julie (Ian), and James (Johnna); his grandchildren, Amelia, Gabriel, Megan, Andrew, Zachary, Reylan, Hazel, Roy, Jacob, and Jocelyn; his sister, Carol Peterson; his sister-in-law, Sheri (Clint) Dodd; and his brothers-in-law, Marvin Vosberg, Steve Jensen, and Ross Jensen. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Marien; his twin, who died in utero; his sister, Elizabeth Vosberg; his brother-in-law, Juhl Peterson; and his grandson, Kyle Jacob.

The amount of love, faith, and hope Doug poured into the lives of those he knew and touched will never be forgotten. He lived a life of service, making this dark world a brighter place. Well done, good and faithful servant! He no longer has tired, old bones, as he now enjoys a new heavenly body and is likely chatting with everyone in heaven, adorned with many jewels in his crown. Until we meet again … love you so much!