GARL, Lawrence Eugene 1926-2009

GARL, GILDNER, FRIEDRICHS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/12/2009 at 20:00:24

Mason City - Lawrence E. "Butch" Garl 83, of 1046 Sixth St. S.E., died on Saturday, August 8, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A Celebration of Life funeral service for Lawrence will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., Mason City, with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be held in Spring Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs, with military honors conducted by members of the American Legion H.D.S. Post 449.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 11, 2009, at Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 North Hawkeye, Nora Springs; and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be directed in to the Lawrence E. Garl Memorial in care of Marilyn Garl 1046 Sixth Street S.E. Mason City, Iowa 50401.

Lawrence Eugene Garl was born on June 17, 1926, on a farm north of Nora Springs, the son of Roy and Vera (Gildner) Garl. He attended school at Rock Falls and High School at Rudd; the class of 1943. He served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1946, and was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Edna Friedrichs on March 6, 1949. To this union two daughters, Susan and Dianne, were born. Together they raised Lawrence's brother Jerry. They lived and farmed north of Nora Springs until her death in 1983.

Lawrence was united in marriage to Marilyn Kolbach on May 16, 1986, and moved to Mason City, where he loved spending time with his family and his new extended family.

Butch worked for American Crystal Sugar for several years retiring in 1988. He was a long time member of the American Legion Post 449, where he served as Post Commander, a member of the Mason City Bowling Association, serving as a past president, and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City. He greatly enjoyed helping the Legion with their fish fries, serving on the honor guard and working with the bowling association annual activities.

Butch is survived by his wife Marilyn of 23 years; daughters, Susan (Dean) Rheingans, Dianne (Larry) Weide; brother Jerry (Judy) Garl; stepchildren, Steve (Mary) Kolbach, Marcia (Steve) Knebel, Christine (Sam) Stoltenberg, Karen (Jim) Davis, the late Rob (Jean Shelley) Kolbach, Barb (Tony) Nomina and Jana (Dave) Walsh; 21 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, other relatives and special friends.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Edna; sister Marjorie; stepson Rob Kolbach; grandson Bryan Brierly; son-in-law Mike Janssen.

Butch will be remembered for his love of farming, the enjoyment he got from bowling, going to dances and his dedication to the American Legion Post 449.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Nora Springs, 641-749-2210.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, circa Aug. 10, 2009]