Dr. Larry Kaner, z”l, passed away at 92 in Portland on Mar. 1, 2024. Born Seymour Lawrence Kaner in a Manhattan hospital on Oct. 4, 1931, Larry lived in The Bronx, N.Y., with his parents, David and Bertha Kaner. When he was eight, they moved to Superior, Wisc., where his father owned a small grocery store. After attending public schools in Superior, Larry completed his undergraduate work and earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While there, he met his wife, Betty Payne, who he married in 1955. The Kaners remained enthusiastic Badger fans.

In 1957, after his medical internship at St Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Larry took a “temporary” position with a family practice group in Two Rivers, Wisc., while expecting to report for duty after being drafted to serve as a physician in the Korean War. When the war ended shortly thereafter, he and Betty decided to remain in Two Rivers, where Larry continued his family practice for the next 40 years.

In 2023, Larry and Betty moved to Portland, where they joined the community at Rose Schnitzer Manor.

Larry was most proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. Family and friends will miss Larry’s wisdom, good humor and kindness.

He is survived by his wife Betty, children Robert and Ellen, Ric and Sara, Lisa and Peter, and grandchildren David Kaner and his husband Brennan O’Rear, Jolie Kaner, Jordan Edelson, Fara Kaner, Rhody Kaner and her spouse Jake Palanker, Zoe Edelson and Gilon Kaner.

Services were held at Ahavai Shalom Cemetery on Monday, Mar. 4.

Remembrances can be made to the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association; Lester Public Library, Two Rivers, WI; The Neshotah Charitable Foundation, Inc., Two Rivers, WI; The Jewish National Fund.