Obituary for Larry Leonard Luft
Larry L. Luft, 74, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, Iowa. A Celebration of Life service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Pastor Luke Cargin will officiate. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home with the family present to greet friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Larry Leonard Luft was born on September 4, 1947, in Plover, Iowa, the son of Harry and Mathilda (Heggen) Luft. He graduated from high school in Plover. Following school, Larry proudly served three tours in Vietnam with the United States Marines from September 2, 1966, to October 31, 1969, where he earned two Purple Hearts.
Larry returned to the area and began work as a carpenter. He later worked in bridge construction and pipeline installation. On September 26, 1986, Larry and Arlene Faye Kramer were united in marriage in Le Mars, Iowa. Larry took a position as a blender operator at Wells Dairy. He retired after 20 years and worked part-time as a custodian at Clark Elementary School and as a gas attendant at the Le Mars Truck Stop.
Gardening was one of Larry’s favorite pastimes. He raised all types of vegetables and took great pride in his roses. He enjoyed fishing with his family and hunting. Larry was a member of the Oleson – Halweg American Legion Post #125 of Merrill, Iowa.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Arlene Luft of Le Mars, Iowa; a son and his wife, Jeff and Rachel Luft and their children, Jamie, Tommy, Jesse and Jace of Sharpsburg, IA; three daughters, Kimberly Ansley, Kelly Hudson and Kristy Davis all of Murray, IA; Arlene’s children, son, Rick Messelhiser of Le Mars, IA; a son and his wife, Tim and Barb Messelhiser and their children, BradLee and Stephen of Le Mars, IA; a daughter and her husband, Brenda and Randy Oolman and their children, Cody Anderson, Zach, Brittini and Jared Oolman of Orange City, IA; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Leonard; a daughter, Kerry; a grandson, R.J. Messelhiser; two sisters and their husbands, Carol and Ron Harris and Lois and Claire Diehl.
Larry Leonard Luft was born on September 4, 1947, in Plover, Iowa, the son of Harry and Mathilda (Heggen) Luft. He graduated from high school in Plover. Following school, Larry proudly served three tours in Vietnam with the United States Marines from September 2, 1966, to October 31, 1969, where he earned two Purple Hearts.
Larry returned to the area and began work as a carpenter. He later worked in bridge construction and pipeline installation. On September 26, 1986, Larry and Arlene Faye Kramer were united in marriage in Le Mars, Iowa. Larry took a position as a blender operator at Wells Dairy. He retired after 20 years and worked part-time as a custodian at Clark Elementary School and as a gas attendant at the Le Mars Truck Stop.
Gardening was one of Larry’s favorite pastimes. He raised all types of vegetables and took great pride in his roses. He enjoyed fishing with his family and hunting. Larry was a member of the Oleson – Halweg American Legion Post #125 of Merrill, Iowa.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Arlene Luft of Le Mars, Iowa; a son and his wife, Jeff and Rachel Luft and their children, Jamie, Tommy, Jesse and Jace of Sharpsburg, IA; three daughters, Kimberly Ansley, Kelly Hudson and Kristy Davis all of Murray, IA; Arlene’s children, son, Rick Messelhiser of Le Mars, IA; a son and his wife, Tim and Barb Messelhiser and their children, BradLee and Stephen of Le Mars, IA; a daughter and her husband, Brenda and Randy Oolman and their children, Cody Anderson, Zach, Brittini and Jared Oolman of Orange City, IA; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Leonard; a daughter, Kerry; a grandson, R.J. Messelhiser; two sisters and their husbands, Carol and Ron Harris and Lois and Claire Diehl.