Larry West

Des Moines - "Everyone has to die. But not everyone truly lives."

Larry Dean West, 78, of Clive passed away on August 11, 2024 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Private family graveside services were held on Tuesday August 13th at the Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell.

Larry enjoyed reading obituaries. He read the above quote in the obituary of a former Air Force pilot. It made an impression. Larry truly lived.

Larry was born to Truman and Julia (Mickelson) West in Ames, Iowa, on March 14, 1946. He had a good time growing up on farms outside of Story City. He was a from a lineage of soft-spoken, good-natured Norwegians. Larry appreciated how hard his dad worked on the farm. His mother, a fifth-grade teacher, made him learn a new word every day. His dictionary is a well-worn book, held together with duct tape. Larry's favorite car was an old '53 Buick that his mother bought for him. It was a "beautiful car" and he and his high school buddies "had more fun in it." He graduated from South Hamilton High School in 1964, and from Luther College in 1969. Larry was drafted and served four years exactly in the Air Force. He worked at Bankers Life, which later became Principal Financial Group, from 1974 until he retired in 2012.

Larry was a runner and competed in 11 marathons, including in San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Duluth, and New York City. He ran, and later walked, daily. After retirement, he was easy to spot at Gray's Lake. He also loved to travel. He advised his third-floor nurses at Iowa Methodist Medical Center to travel while they're young. He and his friend, Mary, took a cruise to Norway, a cruise to the Alpine Countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and his favorite was a cruise to the Baltic Countries, of Copenhagen, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. He even toured Poland. He also took extensive road trips in the U.S. and into Canada. He and Mary also enjoyed annual beach vacations in Emerald Isle, NC, for several summers, with family.

There was good entertainment. Memorable concerts included (back in the day) Ike and Tina Turner, Sonny and Cher, Bob Dylan, the play "Hair" in San Francisco, and in more recent years local artist Mary McAdams, Prince, Elton John, Derek Trucks, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Cher, Marcia Ball, Taj Mahal, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. His favorite Bob Dylan quote was "You gotta serve somebody."

Larry was grateful for his friends, his family, and the good life he had. His Bible is also held together with duct tape. Larry was a regular volunteer with friends from Wellspring Community Church serving meals at Children and Family Urban Movement. Larry said a few days before his death that he was looking forward to there being no distance between himself and God. He said the Saturday afternoon services at Lutheran Church of Hope were a great inspiration to him.

Thanks to Drs. Brockmeyer and Danielson, the excellent staff at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and the outstanding staff at Kavanagh House. There will be a Celebration of Life service for Larry's friends on Saturday, October 5th, at the Thoreau Center. Service at 11 a.m. with a light lunch following.

Larry is survived by his companion, Mary Mason of Clive, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines or EveryStep Kavanagh House.