Les Manning

 Larchwood, Iowa 

     Les Manning age 81, of Larchwood, IA, died Monday, February 5, 2024, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN.
 
      Visitation with the family present will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the UCC church in Larchwood, IA.
 
      A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10th at the UCC church in Larchwood, IA with Rev. Tim Voigt, officiating.

  Les Manning was born November 8, 1942, at Palo Alto, CA the son of Everett and Edna (Hammer) Manning. His father died when Les was young; his mother moved the family back to rural Canton to live with her father. Les attended a rural school during elementary school. His mother later married Alfred Ulvestad at which time they moved to rural Sinai, SD where Les continued his schooling. He married Vickie Schwartzkopf and they had three children, Scott, Steve and Ranada. Les served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. 
     In 1973, he was united in marriage to his love, Carla, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary on August 18, 2023. Les attended Southeast Vo Tech in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated with an Advertising Arts degree. His working career consisted of owning and operating small businesses, such as C&L Cycle in Sioux Falls and later Hound Dog Promotions, Stateline Graphics and the Focus Newspaper in Larchwood, IA. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Along with earning his Black Belt in Taekwondo with his daughter, Michelle, he competed in triathlons, enjoyed riding his Bianchi bicycle, running and swimming. He had a soft spot for rescuing every animal he saw that needed help. In 2018, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and in November of 2022 he became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne where he died this past Monday, February 5, 2024, at the age of eighty-one.
     He is survived by his wife, Carla of Larchwood, IA; his children Sean and Michelle, Scott, Steve and Ranada and Michelle's sons, Riley, Austin, Fisher, Brody and Caden; brothers Allen Manning, Larry Ulvestad, sister Joan Williams and several cousins.
     Les was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve Ulvestad.