Larry Jay ERSLAND

ERSLAND, LEIN, PALS, BAKER, MCBAIN, MEINTS, HOGY, KOENEN, VANNESS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

September 2, 1939 ---- April 24, 2018

Larry J. "Babe" Ersland, age 78, a lifelong resident and farmer, Belmond, IA, died, unexpectedly, Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond. A Public Celebration of Life will take place from 2:30-4:30 PM, Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Cattleman's at the Club, Upper Level, located at the Belmond Country Club. There will be a Public time of reflection and sharing of memories of Babe's Life at 3:30 PM. Private family burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a card or memorial in Larry's name may direct them to his family.

Larry Jay Ersland, the son of Richard Lynn and Ruth Arlene (Lein), was born in Belmond, IA, on September 2, 1939. Larry was nicknamed "Babe" in the earlier years of his life and the name stuck as most people knew him by his nickname rather than Larry for the remainder of his life. He grew up on the family farm, where he learned the foundation of hard work and the values of living a life on the farm. This foundation blossomed into a life long vocation that he cherished until the day he passed away. As a young man Larry's life was filled with many adventures and as he traveled along the highway of life those adventures carried on through with family and friends. Babe attended and graduated from Belmond High School in the Class of 1958. Following his school years he was employed for a period of time with the State of Iowa doing survey work. He eventually returned to his farming career and raised livestock and crops in the Belmond area until eventually retiring due to various health concerns. After he quit farming, Babe, worked for Cramer Trenching in Belmond for 6 years until his health caused him to retire.

Larry was united in marriage to Janice L. Pals, on October 22, 1960, at Meservey, IA. The couple's union was blessed with two sons, Mitch and Mike. Larry and Jan looked forward to their years raising heir sons and providing for their needs and wants in a nurturing and loving environment. At a young age both Mitch and Mike were taught the important characteristic of being d hard worker and doing the task at hand to the best of one's abilities. Babe and Jan also loved to support their sons in all that they were involved with in their lives.

Babe truly enjoyed the role of being a father and grandpa. He loved to be in the midst of family gatherings, no matter what the occasion or event. Some favorite excursions and events included tubing and camping outings to the Shell Rock River with family and friends. He loved classic country music and dancing. On occasion he might be found singing karaoke, but more often than not the microphone in his hand may have been shut off. Babe looked forward to the rush and exhilaration of snowmobiling trips and countless hours spent on the golf course. For many years a favorite past time was attending horse shows. He was a long time member of the Belmond Saddle Club. Babe and Jan loved to restore furniture and their meticulous work, reputation and attention to detail was well know throughout the region. Babe loved to build things such and furniture and doll houses, including the furniture for the houses and Jan made the curtains and other coverings and often times finished Babe's projects.

Babe enjoyed times spent with friends and their times brought with them many priceless memories. His legacy will be as a man who valued a hard days work, loved his family and friends and the rewards that the earth provided for his family as a farmer. He was a fairly reserved man who enjoyed life in the moment.

His memory will be cherished in the hearts and minds of his wife and life partner of more than 57 years, Jan Ersland, Belmond, IA; son Mitch Ersland (Chris Baker), Belmond, IA, and son Mike Ersland, Belmond, IA; a brother Gary (Meredith) Ersland, Belmond, IA; and 2 sisters: Bobbi (Larry) McBain, Belmond, IA, and Rebecca "Becky" Ersland, Belmond, IA; 1 grandson and 8 granddaughters and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers-in law and sisters-in-law: Lyle (Donna) Pals, Belmond, IA, Wayne (Connie) Pals, Thornton, IA, IA, and Richard (Cheryl) Meints, Meservey, IA, and sister-in-law Beverly (Ersland) Hogy and her husband Bruce, Minnesota. Babe was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Ruth Ersland, and one brother Randal "Randy" Ersland; he was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Tina (Koenen) Pals, brother-in-law Roger Pals, and sister-in-law Marian Vanness.

Andrews Funeral Home --- Belmond, Iowa
http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com/obituary/larry-ersland