Larry LaVern Purman, 72, of Elkader, died suddenly Sunday, July 23, 2017, at home in Elkader. He was born October 29, 1944, in Guttenberg, to Cecil Gayle and Wanda Mae (Stewart) Purman. He graduated from Central High School in Elkader in 1962, and then attended school for diesel mechanics in Kansas City, MO.
Larry served in U.S. Navy at the Great Lakes Training Center and was honorably discharged.
On August 7, 1965, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Radabaugh at Hope Lutheran Church in Littleport. The couple was blessed with three children.
Throughout his life, Larry worked at numerous places – Amsden Garage in Elkport, Meuser Lumber Company in Garnavillo, Rodenberg Construction in Elkport, Case IH in Elkader and Oelwein, Rodas Chevrolet in Strawberry Point, owned two bars, Don’t Push Your Luck in Elkader and Anchor Inn in Garber, was part owner of Turkey River Canoe Rentals, Windridge Implement in Elkader where he worked until he retired, then drove the NEIA Transit Bus.
He enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears, the Cubbies, and Iowa Hawkeyes. He didn’t pass up a day where he could be working in his garden, hunting, fishing and loving every day. Larry and Bonnie enjoyed their trips to Laughlin together every year. He would always remind his kids before he left he couldn’t wait to spend their inheritance and laughing and saying he “loved everything about it.” He has been twice around the world, seen circuses, bullfights and goat… well you all know… he’s seen it all!! You would always find Larry singing, drinking a cold one and going outside to burn one and asking for “one more for the ditch” – that is if he wasn’t at work, church or bingo! Most of all he loved golfing with his boys, grandchildren, siblings and friends.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie of Elkader; his children, Gayle Purman of Dubuque, Peter (Holly) Purman of Elkader, Sara Purman of Elkader; four grandchildren, Joshua, Alyssa, Peyton, Zander, his mother, Wanda Amsden of Elkader, six brothers and sisters, Janet Lindenberg of Sun City, AZ, Lonny (Patty) Amsden, of Littleport, Penny Rippentropp (Bruce) of Northfield, MN, Loyal Amsden of Edgewood, Loren (Jo) Amsden of Farmersburg and Lance (Kristy) Amsden of Communia; aunt Doris Ludovissy of Edgewood; Uncle Gary (Marilyn) Stewart of Dubuque and several nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Gayle Purman, stepfather, Lloyd “Midge” Amsden; grandparents, Peter Burns and Florence “Bird” Purman; grandparents, Samuel and Blanche Stewart: father and mother-in-law, Robert and Addie Radabaugh; one brother-in-law, Robert Tackman; Uncle Harry and Aunt Berniece Purman; Uncle Roy Stewart, Uncle Mervin Ludovissy, Emmett Purman and one niece, Jenny Cornwell.
Visitation: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Thursday, July 27, 2017at Hope Lutheran Church in Littleport
Memorial Services: 1:00 pm Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Hope Lutheran Church in Littleport with Rev. Margret Yackel-Juleen officiating.
Inurnment: Hansel Cemetery, Garber
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com