Lawrence Olmstead

Larry Olmstead, 81, of Webster City died Saturday, June 29, 2013 at the Van Diest Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Foster Chapel, with Pastor Jay Amunson officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and prior to the service on Wednesday. Military graveside rites conducted by his military family. Larry J. Olmstead, son of Forest and Anna Olmstead, was born October 15, 1931 at Penrose, IL. He received his education in Sterling, IL and attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He then joined the U.S. Air Force. On April 29, 1951, he married Janice Peterson at Rock Falls, IL. The couple resided in England while Larry served with the U.S. Air Force. Following his discharge, they resided in Sterling, IL, Dubuque, IA and Forest City, IA. In Forest City, they owned and operated a bowling alley. In 1968, they moved to Webster City where he worked as sales manager for Nissen and Son Packing Company and Dunn's Super Valu both in Webster City and finally Huisken Meats until his retirement. Larry is survived by son and daughter in law, David and Sheri Olmstead of Englewood, Ohio; daughter in law Brenda Boyington of Williams; daughter and son in law, Laurie and Ron Epps of Webster City; grandchildren Tiffany and Frank Hicks, Patrick and Jessi Olmstead, Amanda and Dave Braun; Christie and Jim Halliday, Toni Epps, Kayleigh and Adam Weig, Ronni and Joey Arnold, great-grandchildren, Jackson and Kennedy Olmstead, Cori Braun, and Brynley and Kasyn Weig; brother, Jack Olmstead; sisters in law Penny Eirschele, Patricia Peterson, Karen Miner, and Sandy (Denny) Walrath; brothers in law, Jack (Mary) Peterson, Doug (Nancy) Peterson, Denny (Sharon) Peterson, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, sons John C. Olmstead in 1986; Richard C. Olmstead in 1998; grandson Eric Olmstead in 2000; brother, Forest Olmstead and sister, Ruth Howard. There weren't many things in life that Larry didn't enjoy doing. He couldn't start a day without reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee. He was always the first to join for a road trip whether it was to a grandchild's sporting event, visiting family, or just running errands. Larry didn't care where the trip would lead as long as he had his Milroy's Tuxedo cup. Larry never met a stranger and if you were, by the end of the conversation he was your friend for life. Known to several of his grandchildren as "Pops," Larry was their biggest fan, not just when they created art, performed a dance, ran a 5Km, recognized as Valedictorian, competed at a golf tournament, defended our country, set a record or two in high school, or set his VCR timer. Until his last days, one of his favorite hobbies was golfing with his golf partner Jeanne. He was a member of the First Congregational-UCC and the American Legion.