Larsen, Leroy Allen (1937 - 2024)

LARSEN, PAGANIS, CONROY, KNUDSEN, NELSON, LEBECK

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/31/2024 at 14:57:46

Name of deceased: Leroy Allen Larsen

Aged: 87 yrs, 6 mo, 17 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: Jan. 19, 1937; rural Audubon County, Iowa

Died: Aug. 5, 2024; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA; burial was in Jacksonville Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Wife of 66 years, Phyllis Larsen of Harlan, IA; children, Lance (spouse, Lori) Larsen of Harlan, IA, and Lona Paganis of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, James (spouse, Chandler) Paganis of Royse City, TX, Julia (spouse, Patton) Conroy of Fayetteville, AR, and Michael Larsen of Harlan, IA; great-grandchildren, Bennett Conroy, Dawson Conroy, Thea Paganis, and Chapman Paganis; sister-in-law, Lorie Knudsen of Harlan, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, George and Zona (nee Nelson) Larsen; daughter, Lanette Lea Larsen

Education: Began school at Jackson #7 Country School, Shelby County, and then proceeded to two other country schools before he entered Harlan (IA) High School, where he expressed interest in FFA (Future Farmers of America). During Leroy's junior year, he received the Farmer Degree at State Conference and was Vice President of the Harlan Chapter; he received the Dekalb agriculture award during his senior year in 1955.

Religious affiliation: Baptized on May 2, 1937, at Audubon (IA) Lutheran Church; was confirmed on May 12, 1951 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA, where he remained a lifelong member. Was very active at the church, serving more than 20 years on the church council as Treasurer, Deacon, Financial Secretary, and as President.

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Phyllis Lavonne Lebeck; July 27, 1958; Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church, Walnut, IA

Employment: Employed for 3 years at Farm Service Coop as a manager trainer, before he began his lifelong career farming. He served for 15 years on the Board of the Mustard Seed Christian bookstore, more than 4 years on Salem Home Board and also volunteered on the Shelby County (IA) Farm Bureau Board. He and Phyllis retired to Harlan, IA in 2016.

Hobbies/Interests: He had an aptitude for numbers and attention to details, was masterful at card playing, and faithfully served the community and many in the mission field beyond the community.

Sources: pauleyjones.com