Lawrence Ihrig
February 27, 2020
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Service Details
Larry came into this world on January 21, 1947. He was lovingly placed in the arms of Larry and Mary Jane (Riley) Ihrig.
Larry grew up in Des Moines and proudly graduated in the Rock'n Roll era of 1965 from Des Moines North High School. Larry signed up to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp and during that time served in Vietnam. Upon his return home he applied to the Des Moines Police Department. Larry retired as a Senior Police Officer after 40 years. Just prior to retiring he found he had liver cancer. By the grace of God he was given a second chance in life with a liver transplant at the University of Iowa Hospital.
Whatever Larry did in life he did it with a passion. His love of hockey made him one of the longest season ticket holders of the Des Moines Buccaneers. He was always a season ticket holder with Iowa Wild but the BUCS were his passion. Larry had an extensive hockey jersey and hat collection and was known to sport some very fashionable attire at the games, #22, his number he carried with him from High School track.
Larry began walking about 30 years ago and for 6 days a week he would cover the trails and streets of Des Moines and Central Iowa. He loved wildlife and made many friends along his walks. The one day he did not walk was the day he served the Lord. He read his Bible twice a day each day and served his church, Holy Trinity.
Larry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paulette; his daughter, Ann Mercer (Dennis), Naples, FL; grandsons, Justin Von Eschen (fiancée, Lorrie Corman), Blue Springs, MO, and Jeremy (Shauna) Von Eschen, Holiday, FL; granddaughter, Jenna (Andrew) Sachs, Avoca, IA; and great-grandchildren, Waylon & Emmitt Sachs and Gabriella Von Eschen. Larry also leaves behind his half-sister, Linda Breen, Des Moines, IA.
In addition, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Pauline Steinbach, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Steve Lee, Alan and Alice Steinbach, Cindy and Dan McDonough, Caroline Buckroyd, Cheryl and Scott Temple, Claudia and Mark Van Der Sluis, and Clarice Steinbach and Scott McPherson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Mary Jane Ihrig; father-in-law, Donald Steinbach; brothers-in-law, Chris and Donnie Steinbach and Scott Buckroyd; niece, Bernadette Lee; and nephew, Jonathan Lee.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Holy Trinity Church, 2926 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, followed by burial at Pine Hill Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, The University of Iowa's Hospitals & Clinics, or Iowa Food Bank. If attending Mass services, canned good donations may be brought to the church.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Clark Chancellor
05/23/2020
Larry and I ran track together at North HS. After graduation, I saw and talked to Larry at every reunion at Chuck's Pizza. Always fun to catch up on what was going on in Des Moines since I moved away. RIP Larry.
Sandra Ihrig Smith
03/15/2020
My condolences. My cousin Larry was like a brother. My father and his were brothers. We lived in the same house most of our you days, and just down the street through teenage and early adulthood. We would play make believe, cowboys we went to the movies every week and stayed all day. We memorized Base Ball stats, and collected cards. We were friends as well as family. I miss him so. Wish we could have talked more, visited about kids and grandkids. About love and hockey just talk and laugh. RIP Larry. Love Sandy Ihrig
Rita Rogers
03/06/2020
Paulette your tribute of Larrys life was beautiful & touching.
He lived his way; with nature, the quirky humor, a loyal friend, & family man of faith.
Paulette you were his strength. May this bring you solace, peace & strength.
Jeff DuBay
03/06/2020
Paulette, sorry to hear about Larry. What a great man, was always fun to chat about stuff, police, fishing and mostly hockey. Boy he loved hockey as you well know. My prayers are with you and your family. RIP Larry, bet he's at a hockey somewhere now :)
Charlene Harter Boley
03/05/2020
Paulette, my sincere condolences. So sorry to learn of Larry passing. It is a very difficult time, I know. It sure was a fun time when we got with you and Larry. Kurt has many good memories of Larry also. Take all the time you need to grieve, it is a necessary evil that has no time limit. My Bill has been gone little over 19 years ..still days that it hurts. The Irish in you will keep you strong. You are as beautiful today as you have always been. I am way down here in Kentucky but you have alot of people that will come to your aid when you need them. Love and Hugs, Charlene
Forrest Reese
03/05/2020
Paulette so sorry for your loss and sorry I was unable to attend the services I am out of the country but send condolences to you and your family
Ronnie Rees
03/05/2020
My condolences to Paulette and all of Larrys family for their loss, the loss of a most wonderful, caring and loving Husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Larry was my best friend
(He had many) since 1959, neighbors on 19th street playing flag football, Wiffleball and basketball in his back yard we did do much together. Larrys mom would take us to all the North games and his Dad would pick us up. Larry was a year ahead of me at North
Larry was hilarious, his humor often came from his being so candid, he spoke his feelings w/o fear, he would you rolling in laughter. Larry and our Friend mike Lunn went into the Marine Corp and Vietnam where both fought served courageously.thus I followed in their footsteps and joined the Marine Corp as well, this is was significant for me as it forever changed my life
For the better
Of late, I was fortunate enough to have gone back too DesMoines to visit Larry and walk and talk with him as we walked his beloved trails.
We were able to talk about the past, present and future
Of Hockey. Lol idk of a greater more dedicated fan of any sport than Larry with Hockey
We enjoyed reliving our past all those wonderful childhood memories
Our phone conversations
Like so so many, those you touched, those who have had the distinct privilege of knowing you and Working with you at DMPD
We have All been Blessed to have been in your presence, called you Freind, husband, father etc
We love you!
We miss you!
We grieve your passing.
We are glad to know that you are now in the hands of our/ your loving father
I salute you Marine
Semper Fidelis Buddy
You will live on in our memories forever
Respectfully your:
Ron ( Ronnie) Rees
Mark A. Peitzman
03/05/2020
Sorry for your loss, Paulette. I hope that you find peace and comfort in your years together and from these many expressions of support.
Bob & Lisa Ferguson
03/04/2020
Paulette we are so thankful we saw Larry when we were back in Des Moines. When I worked in the Buccaneers office always enjoyed his weekly stop in to talk all things hockey. He was Bobs Iowa Cubs baseball buddy. We always loved seeing him in the different cities we moved to for hockey. Sure gonna miss him. Thinking of you fondly
sherry l williams
03/04/2020
It's been a long time since I last saw Larry - I guess about 45 years ago. But he was such a nice person that I didn't forget him. It looks like Larry led a stellar life and had a great family by his side. So sorry for your loss.
Bill McCarthy
03/04/2020
Larry touched many lives mine just one of them. I remember Larry from little league ball. We played on the same team for two years. Then later when he got on as a DesMoines Police Officer. And then later still, bumping into him on one of his many walks. To Larrys wife and children I want to extent my sympathies- he was truly one of the good guys.
Nanette LaVia
03/04/2020
Paulette: Larry left so unexpectedly. Before he did, God gave you private time together to watch your favorite TV show, to pray together and to love. Remember, you did everything you could to take good care of Larry and 45 years together reveals that love. Now God has called him home to a beautiful resting place that was promised him. No more pain Larry. Enjoy your magnificent home that the rest of us are awaiting. RIP
GLORIA SUDBROCK
03/04/2020
So very sorry for your loss~~let memories keep you smiling
Jim Leseney
03/04/2020
My memories of Larry go back to the 50s, where there was this small band of "cops & robbers" that would descend on the Open Bible window wells to duel it out. When we were done there, we would then retire to the "R" food store for pop to refresh ourselves. We had a lot of fun we did, up until we moved on to junior high school and beyond, where sports, education and girls redirected our priorities. It was truly "that old gang of mine". God bless you, Larry. We had fun.
Jean Brunotte Coe
03/04/2020
My prayers are with the family of my brother's best friend. God be with you.