Larry O. Bathen

APPLEGRATH, BATHEN, BROOKS, JUNGLING, MCFARLAND, MENTZER, MUMAW, SHELTON

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 1/3/2026 at 13:26:55

Larry O. Bathen, 84, of Independence, Iowa, died on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Larry was born on June 30, 1940, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Otto and Ruth (Applegrath) Bathen. He grew up on a farm near Brandon, Iowa, where he helped work the family farm for many years, learning the value of hard work at an early age.

He graduated from Brandon High School in 1959 and went on to work at John Deere in Waterloo. Larry spent thirty-five years at the John Deere Component Works in downtown Waterloo before retiring in 1997.

On March 2, 1963, Larry was united in marriage to Helen A. Brooks at the Brandon Methodist Church. The couple made their home on a farm near Independence, where they raised their four children. Larry enjoyed camping with Helen in Canada, deer hunting, and taking fall car trips with his family to admire the changing leaves—memories that were cherished by all who shared them with him.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Helen Bathen; four children, Larry Edwin Bathen, Laura Ann (Lance Eric) Mumaw, Lisa Ruth Shelton-Bathen, and Lonny Otto Bathen; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Lloyd Bathen; three sisters, Velda Mentzer, Marie McFarland, and Debbie Jungling; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Ruth Bathen.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, or Otter Creek Animal Shelter.