Gunhus, Larry Thelmar 1932 - 2022
GUNHUS, BENSON, SANDERSON, STEINMETZ, CHYLE, LEPA, DANSDILL, WETHERINGTON, DIXON, MEISTER, WIBBEN, MCFADDEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/9/2022 at 11:39:15
Larry T. Gunhus, age 90, of Decorah, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on September 6th, 2022.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco, IA with military rites.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue in Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Wednesday.
Larry Thelmar Gunhus was born on May 27th, 1932, in Cresco, Iowa to Arthur and Evelyn (Benson) Gunhus. He grew up on the family farm and received his education at Orleans #6 Township country school, Winneshiek County. He graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1951.
Larry was baptized at Orleans Lutheran Church, confirmed and member of Cresco First Lutheran church where he served as Usher, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Church Congregation President over the years. He has been a member of Decorah Lutheran Church for the last 47 years.
Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, serving in the Korean War. After boot training in San Diego, he went to Jacksonville, Florida and to Memphis, Tennessee for air technical training. He then served 18 months overseas at the Naval Air Station Agana, Guam. Returning stateside he had duty stations at N.A.S. North Island Coronado, Ca.; guard and shore patrol duty at the Naval Brig in San Diego and with Fighter Squadron VF-142 at N.A.S. Miramar, Ca. which deployed aboard aircraft carriers. He received his Honorable Discharge on May 20, 1955 and returned to Cresco, Iowa.
During his service time, on Nov. 1st,1953 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Virginia Sanderson at the Ridgeway Lutheran Church. They lived at Coronado and Miramar, Ca. till moving back to Cresco in 1955 when he began working for the Iowa Highway Commission / D.O.T. Joyous times building a life together were shared including the birth of their three children Bruce, Kristi, and Valerie. Ginny passed away as result of chronic kidney disease on October 25, 1973.
On May 3rd, 1975 he was united in marriage to Lois (Steinmetz) Chyle at Cresco First Lutheran Church and combined families with Craig, Crystal Chyle and Bruce, Kristi, Valerie Gunhus all serving as attendants in their wedding. Larry and Lois had grown up on close neighboring farms. Both of their first deceased spouses died at the age of 40, having been each married for 20 years. The family moved to Decorah and Larry continued work at the D.O.T., retiring June 21, 1991 with 36 years of service. Larry and Lois enjoyed dancing to the big band music of the 40s – 50s, fishing at Campbell Lake in Northern Minnesota, cutting wood; she was a wonderful companion enjoying the simple tasks of life with him for 45 years before she passed away in 2020.
Larry was very proud of his Norwegian heritage - his shared knowledge of our ancestors, cemeteries, and many stories (with life lessons) are a cherished legacy. He enjoyed dogs and all wildlife; duck and deer hunting near Lost Mile Road with Bruce; Fishing – especially Walleye and Black Crappies. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, The American Legion, taught Hunter Safety and American Red Cross First Aid Multimedia courses. He was a kind, lifelong care giver to both wives and many other family relatives for which we are all so grateful for.
Larry is survived by his children: Kristi Lepa of Cresco, Valerie Gunhus and her son Beirgen Gunhus-Dansdill of Waukon. Lois’ children: Craig (Sarah) Chyle of Decorah and their children Caleb, Camrin, Chloe Chyle; Crystal (Bill) Wetherington of Cresco and their children Jessica Dixon, Christopher, Aaron and Tristan Wetherington.
He is also survived by sisters in law: Gelene Gunhus - Cresco, Shirley Meister - Riverside, Ca., Marion (Ron) Wibben - Stewartville, Mn. Janet McFadden - Leawood, KS. Yvonne Steinmetz -Lincoln, Ca.; many nieces and nephews, and Very Special Cousins (you know who you are!)
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Virginia in 1973. His brother Duane in 2009, son Bruce in 2013, and second wife Lois in 2020 and many cherished in-laws and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials made be directed to help the maintenance of a cemetery of your choosing. Cemeteries were special places for Larry where he spent a great deal of time.
“Time is… too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love… Time is Eternity.”
“I Appreciate the Time we spent together!”
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
Oak Lawn Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen