Larry Sears, 85, of Grinnell, entered the presence of his Savior on Friday, October 22, 2021, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and his family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Grinnell. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. Following the luncheon, interment will be in Chester Cemetery north of Grinnell. Family and friends are invited to attend both. Memorials may be designated to the Calvary Baptist Church and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com. Larry Myron Sears was born the son of Richard and Lola (Baustian) Sears on October 7, 1936 in Grinnell, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm north of Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1954. Following high school, Larry worked with his dad on the farm, for Lippet Farms in Rhode Island, and attended Reppert School of Auctioneering in 1958. He served in the United States Army in California from 1959 – 1961. Following his active service, he was an editor of the Ayrshire Digest in Brandon, Vermont, for several years. He then moved to Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, and was employed as an advertising staff member at Hoard's Dairyman Magazine. While in Ft. Atkinson, Larry trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was united in marriage to Nancy Fink on December 2, 1967, at Faith Community Church in Ft. Atkinson. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Shannon, Suzanne and Tricia. After marriage they resided in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, Eldora, Iowa, and Gilman, Iowa. In 1972 they moved to the family farm north of Malcom, Iowa, where he farmed and built a herd of registered Ayrshire dairy cattle. They moved to Grinnell in 1993. He was employed at Penrose Lumber until 1996 and worked at the Pennysaver in Grinnell from 1996 – 2014. He later worked at Halls Feed and Seed and Fareway grocery store in Grinnell. He was a longtime auctioneer, who worked with his father for Sales by Sears Auction Service from 1958 – 1986 and he carried on the business from 1986 – 2009. Larry and Nancy were members of the Calvary Baptist Church in Grinnell for almost 50 years where Larry served as treasurer, deacon, greeter, and chairman of the Mission Committee. Larry was a man of strong faith who put the needs of others ahead of his in serving the Lord, Jesus Christ. One of his greatest joys was being a counselor at Special Camp at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Clear Lake, Iowa, over the span of 30 years. He enjoyed working and conversing with people, always being quick to listen and share his wit. He also enjoyed following college sports, eating ice cream, popcorn, and apples, and held a great love for dairy cows, especially the breeding and pedigree aspects. He will be remembered as a hard worker, for his integrity, friendliness, graciousness, kindness, and for the strong love of his family. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed by all. Larry is survived by his daughters, Shannon (David) Miller of Pennock, Minnesota, Suzanne Sears of Ankeny, and Tricia (Doug) Brown of Ankeny; six grandchildren, Teagan Miller, Austin Miller, Krista Brown, Josiah Brown, Annika Brown, and Makayla Brown; and his sister, Marilyn (Bob) Barnes of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy Sears on July 15, 2020; his sister, Glenda Bradshaw; brother-in-law, Larry Bradshaw; and brother-in-law, Darwin Schlenker.