Larry Anderson

Lawrence Enoch (Larry) Anderson, 79, of Urbandale, IA died on 19 October 2021. Larry was born in Sterling, IL on 16 June 1942. He grew up on a farm near Deer Grove, IL, and attended a one room country school, Reeves Grade School, for grades one through eight as a member of its last graduating class. He then went to Tampico High School in Illinois, graduating in 1960. Larry graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA in 1964 with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. Larry received a graduate assistantship at Northern Illinois University. He enjoyed teaching in the Business Education Department for two years while completing his Master’s degree, which encouraged him to enter the field of education. He had many fond memories from the summer of 1965 when he spent three months traveling in Europe. In the spring of 1966, Larry took a teaching job at Rock Island High School in Illinois, where he was employed until he retired from teaching in 1984. He enjoyed teaching and had good rapport with his students. On 22 November 1968, Larry married Patricia Ewers in Rock Island, IL. While living in Rock Island, they had identical twin sons James and John. Wanting to share farm life with his growing family, Larry and Pat moved to a farm near Tampico, IL. Shortly thereafter, his third son Eric was born. Larry farmed with his family, including his wife, sons, and father over the next 30+ years. He continued to teach in Rock Island while working the family farm. He was proud to have shared his strong work ethic with his boys through their experience working on the family farm. After his children were grown and moved away, Larry retired from farming. Larry and Pat moved closer to their children in Iowa. Larry enjoyed reading, was inquisitive, and enjoyed lively debate. He took a strong interest in his immediate and extended family. He enjoyed meeting new people, learning about them, and finding connections. Larry is survived by his wife Patricia, who he was married to for 52 years; his brother Jim Anderson of Mount Carroll, IL; sister Mary Jo Jordan of Gambrills, MD; son James of Lynchburg, VA and his wife Kari with grandchildren Trigg, Beck, and Tor; son John and his wife Kim of Iowa City, IA with grandchildren Fiona and Stan; and son Eric and his wife Diana of Dexter, IA with grandchildren Jenni, Andrew, Ty, and Bella, plus great-grandchildren Jaycee from Jenni and husband Jacob, as well as Carter and Baylor from Andrew and wife Makayla. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Larry Anderson’s memory to Unity Point Hospice.