Larry Kirk

Larry Kirk, age 80, of rural Decorah, IA died on Friday, February 4, 2022 at Gundersen Health Systems in LaCrosse, WI. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, 2358 – 360th Street, Burr Oak, IA, with Pastor Doug Bryce presiding. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Wednesday morning. Larry Dale Kirk was born on February 22, 1941 to Hiram and Veda (Fazel) Kirk in Osceola, Iowa and passed from this life Friday, February 4, 2022. He grew up the youngest of three children where they lived on a farm in rural Peru. After graduating from Truro High School in 1959, he had various jobs such as an I-80 asphalt raker, and a bulldozer operator. He was drafted into the Army from 1960-1962. Larry returned to farming for a few years and then decided it wasn’t for him. He accepted a job at a magnesium factory as a glass blower until they went on strike. After that, he worked at UPS until he was able to retire at the age of 48. Larry married Florence O’Mara (Mickie) in 1964 and together they had three daughters and one son; Kimberly, Peggy, Kelly, and Benjamin. He later married his high school sweetheart Martha (Donner) Stalcup in 1985. They enjoyed golfing, traveling, antiquing, playing cribbage, and a lifetime of memories together. Larry was a man of many talents and interests - there was nothing he could not do. He enjoyed woodworking, pyrotechnics, hunting, fishing, entertaining, piloting, omelet making, sewing, and how about those turkey legs?!? His creativity and imagination had no boundaries. He was 32nd Degree Mason and was well known among fellow lodge brethren for a very impressive Lantern Lecture. Larry had great pride in his land and envisioned many additions to constantly improving and enhancing the natural features. He was always proud to take anyone on a tour around “The 40” and shared visions of future endeavours. Travels took him across all 50 states, 7 continents and over 60 countries. He had the privilege of dipping his toes in all oceans. He loved viewing the beautiful scenery, historical sites, and exploring the culture- especially that of the locals. He did caution one to be leery of them; they have a tendency to lead one astray! But his advice regarding traveling was, “Do it while you can. Book it!” Larry is survived by his wife: Marty. Children: Kim (Scott) Palmer, Truro, IA; Peggy (Patrick) Kearney, Grimes, IA; Kelly (David) Hamann, Decherd, TN; Benjamin Kirk, Webster City, IA; Shelly (Terry) Williams, Wilhoyt, AZ; Shannon (Randy) Nagel, Burr Oak, IA and Wade (Adrian) Stalcup, Wickenburg, AZ. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sister: Audrey McDowell, Lorimor, IA along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Hiram and Veda (Fazel) Kirk. Brother: Wayne (Sue) Kirk. Step-son: Tony Stalcup. Brothers-in-law: Don Donner and Ted McDowell.