Larry Van Briesen

Little Rock, IA Larry Van Briesen, age 74, of Little Rock, IA died Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at Sanford Rock Rapids Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2014 at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA with Rev. LeRoy Christoffels and Rev. Matt Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA. Visitation will be Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of George, IA. Larry Dean Van Briesen was born May 3, 1940 in Grant Township of Lyon County to Walter and Gladys (Duin) Van Briesen. He grew up on the family farm by George where he attended country school and graduated from George High School in 1958. He joined the National Guard in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1966. On September 9, 1960 he was united in marriage to Carol Christians at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. He worked at Swalve Produce in George for a short time and then worked at Armour Packing Plant in Worthington for 19 years. In 1970 they moved to their present acreage and started farming. He retired from farming in 1999 but still continued to raise cattle until the present. He then worked at Sudenga Industries in George retiring from there in 2006. Larry was a hard worker from dawn to dusk. He had a great love for animals, especially cattle. Seeing the first calf born in the spring was the joy of his life. He enjoyed helping the kids with their 4-H projects and also hunting, trapping and fishing especially in North Dakota. He also enjoyed listening to polka music and attending numerous auctions, where he was always on the lookout for unique items to add to his collection. His children and grandchildren were very special to him and he was looking forward to a new grandchild in August. Larry is survived by his wife Carol of nearly 54 years; three children, son, Craig (Jessica) Van Briesen and their children, Aubrey, Sawyer and Kason all of Boyden, IA; son, Cory (Angie) Van Briesen and their children, Kyra, Caden, Sydnie and Ellie Van Briesen all of Wilmont, MN; and daughter, Carla (Jamie) Rokusek and their children, Josie and Charlie all of Boyden, IA; sisters, Thelma Van Briesen and LaDonn (Norwood) Geerdes; and brother Paul (Angie) Van Briesen all of George, IA; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Gladys Van Briesen; and sister, Doris Stubbe.