- Memorials may be directed to the Braddyville Fire & Rescue, Braddyville Betterment or American Cancer Society.
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Best of Times by
Bruce H. Zimmerman (ASCAP)
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Ritchie Funeral Service
222 East Washington
Clarinda,
IA
51632
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Memories & Candles
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“Dear Pat and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. You all were great neighbors and I have wonderful memories of working with Larry...Read More »
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1 of 39 | Posted by: Jane Young - Washington, MO
“Hello to Pat and Daughters,
My thoughts and memories of Larry go back to the time of his birth and how excited our family was over the new baby. He...Read More »
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2 of 39 | Posted by: Barbara Harlan - Vancouver, WA
“When my husband and I was first starting out we had insurance with Larry, and there was a time when we did not have enough money to pay all of our...Read More »
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3 of 39 | Posted by: Jill Thieman - Braddyville, IA
“Larry and I went to South Page. We played football together - I use the term "played" loosely because we found ourselves warming the bench. We had...Read More »
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4 of 39 | Posted by: paul horel - Olathe, KS - friend
“I'm so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. Our friendship started many years ago on the baseball field, playing for the College Springs Lions club...Read More »
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5 of 39 | Posted by: Allan Daugherty - Mountain Home, AR
“Pat and Daughters,
As you know, Larry was everything you read here today and more. Our path to friendship crossed in several ways mostly playing...Read More »
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6 of 39 | Posted by: Denny Stanton - Clarinda, IA
“So sorry to hear of your loss of Larry.
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7 of 39 | Posted by: Sheila Dunbar - Des Moines, IA
“My good South Page County Friend will be missed. I would always give Larry and Bill Gilmore a hard time as being the south page county trouble...Read More »
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8 of 39 | Posted by: Phil Jorgensen - Clarinda, IA
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Larry was a special person who will be greatly missed by all who knew and...Read More »
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9 of 39 | Posted by: Michelle Walter - Clarinda, IA
“God Bless my brother. You fought the good fight.
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10 of 39 | Posted by: Garry Foresee - Overland Park, KS
“The friendship that Larry and I shared started when we were young boys and continued throughout our adult lives. We enjoyed talking sports, playing...Read More »
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11 of 39 | Posted by: Bill Gilmore - Clarinda, IA
“So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He fought a hard and long battle. He will be missed greatly.
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12 of 39 | Posted by: Ken and Jan Ludington - Hamburg, IA
“My sincere prayers of peace and comfort to Larry's family. When I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago,Larry shared some thoughts and concerns about...Read More »
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13 of 39 | Posted by: Tom Fine
“My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you at this very
difficult time.
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14 of 39 | Posted by: connie mcwilliams - IA
“Thoughts and prayers to all of the family. Larry was a very special man with the way he helped anyone. Amy if there is anytime you need someone to...Read More »
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15 of 39 | Posted by: Cheryl Campbell
“Larry was such a wonderful person and will be missed.
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16 of 39 | Posted by: Mindy Prather - Clarinda, IA
“Thinking of all of you at this time..... Treasure all of your memories and happy times.... You have a very special family; which was evident...Read More »
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17 of 39 | Posted by: Marcy Spring Shepard - Newbern, TN
“Larry was a great friend. He touched so many lives in his work and play that he will be missed by many. He fought a tough battle and showed many...Read More »
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18 of 39 | Posted by: Carl Buck - Clarinda, IA - Friend
“Pat and Family,
Larry was truly one of a kind. Great sense of humor, positive attitude and I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I...Read More »
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19 of 39 | Posted by: Wayne Matheny - Omaha, NE
“Larry was such a good guy! Always made me laugh.I'll miss him pulling up to the office and honking to give me a ride to the Post office in bad...Read More »
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20 of 39 | Posted by: Betsy Olenius - Clarinda, IA
“Dear Friends,
I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. May you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending peace, comfort and love,...Read More »
”
21 of 39 | Posted by: Jeanie Fritscher - Statnon, IA
“Pat,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Larry was a great guy and a fixture of the community. He will be missed by many. It was good to see you at...Read More »
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22 of 39 | Posted by: Dan Runyan - Lincoln, NE
“I have such wonderful memories of us driving up from Oklahoma to Iowa to see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We also looked forward to...Read More »
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23 of 39 | Posted by: Elanys(Burley)Symon - Trenton, OH
“Larry,
I'll miss you! You have left a divot in my heart. I'm proud to say you are a blessing in the eyes of many. Thank you for the humor...Read More »
”
24 of 39 | Posted by: Denny Fast - Burlington Junction, MO
“Pat and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Let family and friends help where they can, and hold on tight...Read More »
”
25 of 39 | Posted by: Teri Larson - New Market - friend
“Pat and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Larry. He was a great guy that always made people laugh. We always had a great time teasing him...Read More »
”
26 of 39 | Posted by: Lisa Wagaman-Houston - Red Oak, IA
“We are thinking of you all.
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27 of 39 | Posted by: Kate - glenwood, IA - neice
“Pat, Jennifer, Amy, Trcia and Family,
I was 10 years old when Larry was born and and as the rest of us cousins were a little older we thought it...Read More »
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28 of 39 | Posted by: Keith & Joan Harlan - Atlantic, IA
“I have so many wonderful memories spending time with your family as we were growing up. Larry was always so robust, and outgoing. Never afraid to...Read More »
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29 of 39 | Posted by: Kari Wise Medbery - omaha, NE
“Pat, There are no words to tell you how sorry I am that you have to hurt so much and feel such sadness. I hope the love you shared will comfort you...Read More »
”
30 of 39 | Posted by: Samantha (Fishell) Henness - TX
“We dealt with Larry for many years through insurance. Larry was always helpful in business and a delight to visit with. Larry was a very nice person...Read More »
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31 of 39 | Posted by: Janet Beemer - Clarinda, IA
“Pat and family, A great and good man on earth is now a great angel in heaven. Your loss is shared by so many. God bless you all. Sincerely, Paulette
”
32 of 39 | Posted by: Paulette Engstrand Parrott - AZ
“R.I.P. Larry, Prayers and Comfort for his family & friends.
”
33 of 39 | Posted by: Rhonda Baker (Clayton) - IA
“Larry,
I thank you for a season in your path, my friend.
”
34 of 39 | Posted by: Don Huttig - Clarinda, IA
“Larry you we're a great man and your family and friends will never forget you. I was one of the lucky ones who got to know you. Your memory will go...Read More »
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35 of 39 | Posted by: David Fast - fairfax , MO
“Larry had such a wonderful and fun impact on so many people's lives! He was a one-of-a-kind man who will be missed immensely by his family and...Read More »
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36 of 39 | Posted by: Karen Guthrie - College Springs, IA
“I didn't know Larry well, but I know his daughter Tricia. I can say that he must have been a wonderful father to have raised such an amazing...Read More »
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37 of 39 | Posted by: Deby Hull - Skidmore, MO - Friend
“Larry was a good friend. We shared many many golf games, lunches, our infamous 2 person Christmas party. We shared life as we were advancing in...Read More »
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38 of 39 | Posted by: Charles Keeran - Clarinda, IA
“LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH & WILL MISS YOU TERRIBLY! Rest in peace sweet dad, Love u - your baby girl.
”
39 of 39 | Posted by: Tricia Fast - Burlington Junction, MO
Larry Wayne Van Fosson was born June 11, 1948 at Elmo, MO, as the youngest son of Carl (Bud) Van Fosson and Ferne (Burley) Van Fosson. He grew up in the area attending Braddyville schools during elementary and then attended and graduated from South Page High School in 1966. He continued his education and graduated from Nettleton Business School of Omaha in 1969.
Larry and Patricia Riddle met in 1965 and started dating, becoming high school sweethearts and married on March 2, 1968 at Braddyville Methodist Church. Larry immediately became brother, mentor, friend and second "father" to the Riddle clan. They remained married for 44 plus years with Pat by his side throughout their life together and was his most dedicated supporter especially during the very difficult and trying years of his cancer journey. Together they gained a wonderful family of their own through those years. They became blessed with three daughters, Jennifer, Amy and Tricia. Tricia married Denny Fast in 1999 and Jennifer married Kevin Roelfs in 2001. Larry gained two wonderful sons in laws, leading to his most prized possessions, 3 grandchildren. Olivia Paige was born in 2002 to Jennifer and Kevin. Dawson Michael was born in 2003 and Reganne Nicole was born in 2007 to Tricia and Denny. Amy their middle child, was a constant in his life, as she shared the home, took care of the pets and all around was a great daughter, aunt and sister in law. She supported her father in his day to day struggles, laughter and tears.
Larry started his career working for Bonus Oil Company in Omaha Nebraska before working with his brothers and father as owners of Van Farm Supply, Braddyville, Iowa. Following the sale of the business, Larry was an implement salesman for Whipp Sales and Services and Case IH. His most recent occupation was as owner of an insurance agency for 22 years.
One of Larry's greatest passions was his family. He attended all his children's activities, especially their sporting events for over 10 years, often needing to "intervene" with the referee's decisions when they didn't seem right. He was also active in his children's 4-H activities, including raising and showing sheep at the County Fair, and helping make food projects that won many blue ribbons. Larry maintained a genuine interest in his children's friends, and was considered a "second" dad to many.
He continued to attend his grandchildren's events as he could, even as he endured cancer treatments. One of his greatest gifts to his grandchildren was to take them on several vacations to areas that he loved in his own youth and wanted to share with them. He was able to plan, and enjoy trips with them to South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado and Lake Rathbun. Many incredible memories were made and will be shared for a lifetime.
Larry was involved in Lions Club, held office on the City Council in Braddyville, was the Braddyville City Clerk for several years and coached his daughters in little league softball. Larry was always friendly and didn't know a stranger. He had a sense of humor that was contagious and enjoyed giving a "hard time" to all those he loved. Larry could go anywhere within the United States and find someone that he knew, somehow.
Larry was an avid golfer and was a fixture on the golf course for many years on Wednesdays/weekends spending quality time with his friends. Due to cancer, he had to stop playing golf, but a golf event was created by his family in his honor to raise money for ACS/Relay for Life. Stopping golfing was very hard for him, and he shared his love of golfing with his sons in law and grandchildren.
Larry was a lover of all sports, especially golf, football, basketball, baseball and any other sport that happened to be on TV. He was a strong supporter of his Iowa Hawkeye's and attended games throughout his life with friends and his daughter Jennifer. He passed on his love for the Hawkeye's with Jennifer and her daughter Olivia, who at 9 has determined she will attend the University of Iowa when she graduates. Amy shares a love of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the three girls vow to attend a bowl game in the future years together in honor of their dad and grandfather.
His love of sports was shared with his only grandson Dawson and he attended his first NW Bearcats football game with Dawson and Denny. They loved to talk sports and shared a passion for watching football. Larry attended Dawson's baseball and flag football games throughout the season, cheering him on to victory and being very proud of his determination and skills.
Larry had a big sweet tooth which Reganne, his youngest granddaughter shared with him. He tended to spoil her with all her favorite treats over the years and had a special bond with her and her spirit. They spent many special moments together during their limited time.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ferne and his brothers Lowell and Gordon.
Left to carry on the family love and values that Larry believed in so much are his loving wife, Pat, daughter and family Jennifer, Kevin and Olivia (Newton), daughter Amy (of the home), daughter and family Tricia, Denny, Dawson and Reganne (Burlington Junction, MO). Also survived by Garold and Garth Van Fosson (brothers) and their families, Joann Van Fosson-sister in law and family (Ralston, NE) and the entire Riddle Clan (which is too many to mention, but were greatly loved) and the many other people whose life he touched.
Funeral services for Larry Van Fosson, age 64 of Braddyville, Iowa, who entered eternal peace Sunday, December 9th, 2012 surrounded by his loved ones at home will be held at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Ted Welch officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 5-7 pm., Tuesday, December 11th, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Braddyville Cemetery. Lunch will be served at
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December 31, 2012