Larry W. German, 88, of Grinnell, died on November 10, 2022, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A celebration of life service has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 19, at the Grinnell United Methodist Church, with Rev. Eric Schubert officiating. A lunch and continued fellowship will follow the service in the Friendship Center of the church. A private family burial will be held that afternoon at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 18, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell where the German family will be present from 4:00 to 7:00 Friday evening.. A Masonic service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Grinnell Fire Department or Grinnell High School TT Cranny Renovation Campaign.

Larry was born on December 10, 1933, in Grinnell, the son of George James and Fidelia Martha Filbrandt German. He was raised in Grinnell and was a 1952 graduate of Grinnell High School.

On October 3, 1953, he was united in marriage to Donna D. Lauber, at the Grinnell Friends Church. A union of 69 years! The couple continued to live in Grinnell where he was employed with Meadow Gold Company and later Lang's Dairy. In 1955, they moved to Lancaster, California where he worked several years for North American Aviation at Edwards Air Force Base. They returned to Grinnell in 1957, where he was employed by his father at Farm Water Supply. Larry and Donna purchased the business in 1963 and re-named the company, German Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. Larry held a strong work ethic and broad range of knowledge in his work and in the history of Grinnell.

Larry was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and sang with the church choir. He was a long-term Brother of the Masonic Temple and a two-term Master Mason; sang in the Community Choir, and was a 30-year volunteer with the Grinnell Fire Department. He served on the Grinnell-Newburg School Board; was a member and past vice-president of the Grinnell Jaycees; a member of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge, and a member and past-president of the Grinnell Booster Club.

Larry was a true leader, not only for his family but in the community as well. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was an avid fan watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play at their sporting events. He will always be remembered for his strength, his ability to fix anything and always being there for his family with a warm heart. Larry was a teacher of many lessons for all whom he worked with and loved. He enjoyed traveling to various places including abroad, playing golf and cards at the Grinnell Country Club, and following the Iowa Hawkeyes sports teams.

His family, left to carry on his legacy, are his wife, Donna of Grinnell; four children, Sonya (Steve) Moss of Iowa City, Randy (Peg) German of Grinnell; Rick German of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Scott (Susan) German of Grinnell; his grandchildren, Stephanie Moss, Stacy (Luke) Zeller, Brooke (Kevin) Hakert, Cole (Jonna) German, Bart German, Bret (Evan) Dillman, Bethany (Steve) Juhl, Kari (Derek) Taylor, Mitchell German, Brad (Andrew) German, Ashley (Fred) Cook, and Desiree (Jake) Strayer; his granddaughter-n-law, Sarah Moss; his great-grandchildren, Gavin, Logan, Brady, Sloan, Jagger, Kamryn, Kane, Maryn, Maverick, Marcus, Roslyn, Sydni, Myia, Kael, Jackson, Jacey, Jayla, Jetson, Lexi, Tori, Addi, Ashton, Jax, Barrett, Lydia, Sebastian, Trey, and Keira; a great-great-grandchild, Sawyer; and one brother, Hugh German.

Preceding Larry in death were his parents; a grandson, Skyler Moss; and three siblings, Katherine, Gerald, and Clyde.