Rev. Dr. Larry D. LaVelle (1938-2010)

LAVELLE, JOHNSON, WESTERBERG, BOLAR, VAN HAECKE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/6/2012 at 20:58:45

From Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home obituary, Story County, Iowa:

Rev. Dr. Larry LaVelle

BORN: November 14, 1938
DIED: November 25, 2010
LOCATION: Ames, Iowa

Rev. Dr. Larry D. LaVelle, 72, son of Donald E. and Evelyn M. (Johnson) LaVelle was born November 14, 1938. He died peacefully on Thanksgiving, November 25, 2010. Larry grew up in Eldora, IA. He attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA (1956-1960). There he met and dated Virginia L. Westerberg. They were married on December 23, 1961 in her hometown of Palatine, IL.

Larry attended seminary at Yale Divinity School in Connecticut (1960-1963). He was ordained as a deacon in New York and an elder in Washington State. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1979.

Larry began his ministry in Washington State: View Ridge Methodist Church in Everett (1963-1966) and Aldersgate First United Methodist Church in Bellevue (1966-1971). During this time, two daughters were born, Kristin and Kimberly. In 1971, he and Ginny decided to return to Iowa to be closer to family. In Iowa, he served: Wesley FUMC in Ottumwa (1971–1973); Harlan FUMC and Monroe Chapel in Shelby County (1973-1984); Des Moines FUMC (1984-1990); Des Moines Area District Superintendent (1990-1995) and FUMC in Ames (1995-2002).

Larry’s passions included singing while playing guitar, motorcycling, reading, and studying scripture for personal growth and understanding. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and supporter of ISU and Harlan Cyclones. He enjoyed listening to NPR and all kinds of music. His retirement was spent traveling to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, studying spirituality, walking and biking around in Ames, and attacking the New York Times daily crossword puzzles like they were research papers, with a stack of references at hand. He found limitless joy in being Grandpa and all that it entailed. He was a beautiful man, who left an indelible mark on many.

Larry is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters: Kristy Bolar of Gilbert, IA and Kim (Joe) Van Haecke of Urbandale, IA; five grandchildren, Tim and Jessica Bolar, Alex Pottebaum, Gabe and Emmett Van Haecke; his mother, Evelyn LaVelle of Eldora; brothers, Doug (Sherry) LaVelle of Elmira, Oregon and Jay (Robin) LaVelle of Eldora. He was preceded in death by his father, Don LaVelle.

The family will be at Iowa State’s Reiman Gardens on Saturday afternoon from 2:00-4:00 p.m. to welcome visitors.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church of Ames.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary’s Rueben P. Job Endowment for Spiritual Formation; 2121 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201; or to any of the churches Larry served.

Celebration of Life

December 05, 2010

2:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

516 Kellogg Ave.

Ames, IA 50010

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