Merrill, Iowa – Larry D. Luschen, 68, of Merrill, Iowa passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Merrill First United Methodist Church. Rev. Merrill Muller will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill with military honors conducted by Oleson-Halweg American Legion Post #125. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday.
Larry Dean Luschen was born on November 21, 1947 in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Emma (Fisher) Luschen. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1966 and participated in the Trades and Industries program. Larry enlisted in the United States Army on November 6, 1966. He served overseas in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Larry earned an Honorable Discharge on July 3, 1969 having attained the rank of Sergeant. Following the war, he returned to the area and farmed near Westfield, Iowa. Along with farming, Larry worked for Kent Feeds.
In 1970, Larry and Colette Mobley were married in Sioux City, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three children, Holly, Hiedi and Peter. Larry later moved to Oklahoma to work in the oil fields. He then drove truck hauling rock to the fields and moved grain throughout the Midwest. Larry returned to the family farm near Merrill, Iowa in 1983. After farming, he worked construction in Merrill. His last job was assisting his son, Pete with opening Emma Rae’s Café in Merrill.
Larry was an animal lover. He fed the birds, squirrels, cats and had two potbelly pigs. He also liked to target shoot and was an avid NASCAR fan.
Grateful to have shared his life are his children and their families, Holly (David) Luschen Billesbach, Chase, Emily, Maci and Maggie of Oklahoma City, OK, Hiedi (Colby) Hester, Zachary, Nathan and Caden of Oklahoma City, OK, Peter (Erica) Luschen and Emma of Merrill, IA, Angie (D.J.) Neal, Gloria and Davey Jr. of Hinton, Iowa; brothers, Merlin (Judy) Luschen of Stoughton, WI and Randy (Kelly) Luschen of Merrill, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
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