Lubbert, Larry Leon 1937 - 2024

LUBBERT, MILLER, BAUSELL, LECHLEITNER, ARNOLD, RILEY, LARA, BILLINGS, SATTIZAHN, GOLDBERG, BENNETT, TJOSSEM, TORRES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/18/2024 at 11:12:32

U. S. Veteran
Larry Lubbert age 87 of Decorah, IA passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, at WinnMed in Decorah.

Funeral Service will be held at Decorah Lutheran Church, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial to follow service at Lutheran Cemetery with full Military Rites.

Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the time of service on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

The service will be live-streamed at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/MFKyis793nk?feature=share

Larry Leon Lubbert was born on July 19, 1937, in Marcus, Iowa, to Theodore W. and Anna Katherine (Miller) Lubbert. He was baptized in the Nazareth (Danish) Lutheran Church in Marcus, IA.

His family moved to a farm near Meriden, Iowa in 1941 and then to Paullina in 1946. Larry took part in his high school band and worked on the high school Yearbook staff. Larry was also active in the local Boy Scout troop and attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1953 in Santa Anna, CA.

After graduation from Paullina High School, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at the Strategic Air Command base, Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas as a Security Air Policeman, for the remainder of his enlistment. He was included in a TDY to Upper Heyford England for two months and to Eielson AFB in Alaska for four months. He attained the rank of Airman First Class and was awarded honor Student at the Noncommissioned Officers Training Class.

When Larry was discharged from the Air Force, He enrolled at the University of Kansas where he earned a BS degree in Elementary Education, with an area of emphasis in Speech Pathology.

Upon Graduation, Larry worked as a Speech Pathologist for the Olathe Kansas School District. He later attended Central Presbyterian Church in Kansas City and became active in the church’s young adult group, where he served as its president for one year. It was here that he met Patricia Ann Bausell, his future wife. They were married on May 27, 1967, and lived in Overland Park during the time Larry completed his Master’s program in Speech Pathology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Out of their marriage, three children were born Brandon, Andrew and Kiersten. Larry and Patricia later separated.

Larry was hired by Tri-County Special Education in Decorah as a Speech Pathologist. He served in this position for thirty years. He and coworkers created a Communication Aide Program that was used in many districts across the state.

Soon after moving to Decorah in 1969, Larry was invited to join the Luren Singing Society and stayed an active member until his death. While a member, he was twice elected President, was the 1976 Songerfest Chairman, recording secretary, and accompanied them to Norway four times. As Luren tour committee chairman, he helped plan the 1993, 2001 and 2015 tours to Norway

Larry volunteered (was drafted) to become the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 66 in Decorah, a position he held for nearly 25 years. While Scoutmaster, his troop participated in many high adventure activities. They included: Canoe trip to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, hiking 200+ miles of Historic trails in IA, IL, IN, Ky, TN and MO during the 1776 Bi Centennial, a trip to the 1973 National Jamboree in PA, and a crew to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for a 70 mile trek. Larry continued to be active in Scouting and was awarded the District Merit Award for his service. He also took a Council group to the 1977 National Jamboree and worked on the Aquatic staff in three additional National Jamborees.

Larry loved carving and spent many hours sitting in his workshop creating incredible works of art. His first projects were gnomes, a product of his love for Scandinavian culture. Often his carvings portrayed his sense of humor.

Larry spent many hours making wonderful memories with his kids. Whether it was camping trips, afternoons spent at Decorah Public Pool, bicycle rides in the evening, or nightly ice cream and time spent with dad was always full of fun and special times.

Larry met Doris Arnold in 1987, and they married on May 30, 1989. To the joy of their children and grandchildren their new home had a pool. All the neighborhood kids knew to watch for Larry to hang the flag on the front porch which meant the pool was open for them to swim. Larry spent many hours giving free swimming lessons and lifeguarding.

After retiring from the Decorah public school system Larry began carving full time and traveled to craft shows all around the country. Doris often joined him on these trips and helped him with his craft by becoming his official painter.

Larry and Doris enjoyed their retirement together and most mornings you could find them sitting at Java John’s drinking coffee and visiting with their community. In the afternoon you could find Larry sitting in his sunroom with his dog snuggled up on his lap or back in his office on his computer working on his ancestry project. Larry traced the branches of his Danish family tree back to the 1600’s in Denmark and freely shared his findings with his large family.

Larry and Doris loved having their grandchildren come to visit. When they were there, you could often find Larry on the floor playing with Legos, in the workshop teaching them how to carve, showing them his latest model train set up, swimming with them in the pool or taking them to the fish hatchery to get a glimpse of the Decorah Bald Eagles. Larry loved living in Decorah and was always proud to share that love with his grandkids. His grandchildren also joyfully embraced his traditional nightly bowl of ice cream.

Larry is survived by his wife Doris; Children: Brandon (Pam) Lubbert, Andrew (Amy) Lubbert and Kiersten (Charles) Lechleitner, David Arnold, Dale (Kathy) Arnold, Diane (Bruce) Riley. Grandchildren: Grant, Ethan and Elizabeth Lubbert; Anna and Matthew Lechleitner; Aliana and Eva Lubbert. Jenifer (Ricardo) Lara, Nicole (Mark) Billings, Danielle Sattizahn, Daeton Goldberg, Derrik (Carley) Arnold, Lester (Sandy) Bennett, Lucas (Mal) Bennett, Scott Riley Jon Riley. Great grandchildren: Sophia Lara, Clara Lara + 14 others. His sister Marlys Tjossem and his two nieces Karen Tjossem and Sherry (Ed) Torres.

He is preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Anna (Miller) Lubbert.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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