Larry Wayne Van Fosson

1948 - 2012

Funeral services for Larry Van Fosson, 64, Braddyville, who entered eternal peace Sunday, Dec. 9 surrounded by his loved ones at home will be held at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Clarinda with Reverend Ted Welch officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 5-7 pm., Tuesday, Dec. 11 at the funeral home. Burial was held in the Braddyville Cemetery. A luncheon was served at the Brady Hall after the burial. Memorials may be directed to Braddyville Fire and Rescue, Braddyville Betterment or to the American Cancer Society. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

Larry Wayne Van Fosson was born June 11, 1948 at Elmo, Mo., as the youngest son of Carl (Bud) Van Fosson and Ferne (Burley) Van Fosson. He grew up in the area attending Braddyville schools during elementary and then attended and graduated from South Page High School in 1966. He continued his education and graduated from Nettleton Business School of Omaha in 1969.

Larry and Patricia Riddle met in 1965 and started dating, becoming high school sweethearts and married on March 2, 1968 at Braddyville Methodist Church. Larry immediately became brother, mentor, friend and second "father" to the Riddle clan. They remained married for 44 plus years with Pat by his side throughout their life together and was his most dedicated supporter especially during the very difficult and trying years of his cancer journey. Together they gained a wonderful family of their own through those years. They became blessed with three daughters, Jennifer, Amy and Tricia. Tricia married Denny Fast in 1999 and Jennifer married Kevin Roelfs in 2001. Larry gained two wonderful sons-in-law, leading to his most prized possessions, three grandchildren. Olivia Paige was born in 2002 to Jennifer and Kevin. Dawson Michael was born in 2003 and Reganne Nicole was born in 2007 to Tricia and Denny. Amy their middle child, was a constant in his life, as she shared the home, took care of the pets and all around was a great daughter, aunt and sister-in-law. She supported her father in his day to day struggles, laughter and tears.

Larry started his career working for Bonus Oil Company in Omaha, Neb., before working with his brothers and father as owners of Van Farm Supply, Braddyville. Following the sale of the business, Larry was an implement salesman for Whipp Sales and Service and Case IH. His most recent occupation was as owner of an insurance agency for 22 years.

One of Larry's greatest passions was his family. He attended all his children's activities, especially their sporting events for over 10 years, often needing to "intervene" with the referee's decisions when they didn't seem right. He was also active in his children's 4-H activities, including raising and showing sheep at the county fair, and helping make food projects that won many blue ribbons. Larry maintained a genuine interest in his children's friends, and was considered a "second" dad to many.

He continued to attend his grandchildren's events as he could, even as he endured cancer treatments. One of his greatest gifts to his grandchildren was to take them on several vacations to areas that he loved in his own youth and wanted to share with them. He was able to plan, and enjoy trips with them to South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado and Lake Rathbun. Many incredible memories were made and will be shared for a lifetime.

Larry was involved in Lions Club, held office on the City Council in Braddyville, was the Braddyville City Clerk for several years and coached his daughters in little league softball. Larry was always friendly and didn't know a stranger. He had a sense of humor that was contagious and enjoyed giving a "hard time" to all those he loved. Larry could go anywhere within the United States and find someone that he knew, somehow.

Larry was an avid golfer and was a fixture on the golf course for many years on Wednesdays/weekends spending quality time with his friends. Due to cancer, he had to stop playing golf, but a golf event was created by his family in his honor to raise money for ACS/Relay for Life. Stopping golfing was very hard for him, and he shared his love of golfing with his sons-in-law and grandchildren.

Larry was a lover of all sports, especially golf, football, basketball, baseball and any other sport that happened to be on TV. He was a strong supporter of his Iowa Hawkeye's and attended games throughout his life with friends and his daughter Jennifer. He passed on his love for the Hawkeye's with Jennifer and her daughter Olivia, who at nine has determined she will attend the University of Iowa when she graduates. Amy shares a love of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the three girls vow to attend a bowl game in the future years together in honor of their dad and grandfather.

His love of sports was shared with his only grandson Dawson, and he attended his first NW Bearcats football game with Dawson and Denny. They loved to talk sports and shared a passion for watching football. Larry attended Dawson's baseball and flag football games throughout the season, cheering him on to victory and being very proud of his determination and skills.

Larry had a big sweet tooth which Reganne, his youngest granddaughter shared with him. He tended to spoil her with all her favorite treats over the years and had a special bond with her and her spirit. They spent many special moments together during their limited time.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ferne and his brothers Lowell and Gordon.

Left to carry on the family love and values that Larry believed in so much are his loving wife, Pat, daughter and family Jennifer, Kevin and Olivia (Newton), daughter Amy (of the home), daughter and family Tricia, Denny, Dawson and Reganne (Burlington Junction, Mo.) Also survived by Garold and Garth Van Fosson (brothers) and their families, Joann Van Fosson, sister-in-law and family (Ralston, Neb.) and the entire Riddle Clan (which is too many to mention, but were greatly loved) and the many other people whose life he touched.