KEITH, Laurence ‘Larry’ L.

KEITH DEAN DAVIS MERRISS BARTELT MEYER BISHOP GATES HOPE

Posted By: Chris Tonn (email)
Date: 12/14/2005 at 20:17:55

[Mason City Globe Gazette, March 2003]

CLEAR LAKE Laurence Larry” L. Keith, 85, passed away Monday (March 17, 2003) at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave S. in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett, officiating.

Visitation will from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St. in Clear Lake. Interment will be at Clear Lake Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Larry was born July 16, 1917, in Marble Rock, the son of Ray and Wanda (Davis) Keith.

Larry’s father found work in construction and farming before and during the depression. The family moved many times. His father (half jokingly) told the family it was cheaper to move than to pay rent. Larry attended 22 different schools before graduating from Marble Rock High School in 1936.

He planned to attend art school in the fall of 1936, but steady paychecks proved a greater lure. Larry learned the construction trade, often working with his Dad on bridges and railroad roundhouses.

He married the love of his life, Lorene (Lori) Merriss in Dubuque, Iowa, on June 8, 1940. Larry served his country in World War II in the 1332nd Engineers and was stationed in England.

After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Marble Rock, his wife and construction.

On New Years Day 1948, he moved his family to Clear Lake and formed Davis and Keith General Contractors with his brother, James Davis. The firm built many homes, churches and schools in the area including (in Clear Lake), the Methodist Church, Catholic Church, Post Office, Blue Horizon Motel, Clear Lake Bakery, the older portion of the Band Shell, and the time capsule in City Park.

When the post-war construction boom ended in the mid 1960s, Larry became Clear Lake’s first Superintendent of Public Works. He also worked part-time drawing plans for new homes. Larry and Lori, together, designed and built their family homes in Clear Lake.

In 1972, the couple bought the local trash hauling business and renamed it Keith’s Sanitation Service Inc. For a short time in the late 1970’s, they also had a greenhouse, Lori’s Bloomers.

In retirement, the couple traveled “the lower 48” states in their motor home. They were always home for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.

His wife, Lori, passed away on June 6, 1990, two days prior to their 50th anniversary. In 1999 he moved to Oakwood Care Center where he gained new friends among residents and caring staff.

Larry was a good provider for his family. He enjoyed his work and took pride in a job well done. He liked gardening, sports and home fix-up projects. He treasured his family and enjoyed morning coffee with his friends.

Larry was a member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church and V.F.W. Post 4868. He was a past member of Rotary, Master Builders of Iowa, Associated General Contractors, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and Senior Chamber.

Larry is survived by his daughter, Kathy Bartelt and her husband, David; a son, Dennis Keith and his wife, Lillie, both of Clear Lake; three grandchildren Jennifer Meyer and her husband Eric, of St. Paul, Minn.; Sid Bishop of Phoenix, Ariz. and Dawn Bishop, of Ames; three great-grandchildren, Lauren Meyer, Ethan Meyer, and Jessica Bishop

Larry was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lori, in 1990; a son, James, in 1971; and two infant children, Mary Margaret and Bobby Dean; and his father, Ray; his mother, Wanda; his loving caring stepmother, Fern; his brother, Jim Davis; and sister, Dorothy Gates.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, (641) 357-2193.