Larry C. Halsrud

Larry Carlisle Halsrud, 82 of Rogers, AR passed away peacefully Monday morning, Aug 11, 2025, after a long struggle with Parkinson's and Dementia.

Funeral services will be 3:00PM Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode, IA. The service will be livestreamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. Burial will follow at the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 2:00PM to 3:00PM Saturday at the church.

Larry is survived by his adoring family, who fiercely loved him back, children Mike (Teri) Halsrud of Bloomington, MN, Sarah (Dave) Wheeler of Bentonville, AR, Kris (Lisa) Halsrud of Minneapolis, MN, grandchildren Allison, Shawn, Nicholas, siblings Dianne (John) Eveland of Waterloo, David (Cindy) Halsrud of Milford, Marcia Kuker of Fort Dodge, brother-in-law Jim (Mary Ann) Moon of Marietta, OH, sister-in-law Sue Trample of Story City, aunt Charlotte Dasen of Sanborn, many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Carlisle and Lorraine (Dasen) Halsrud, wife Barbara (Moon) Halsrud, sister Sharon (Gene) Maschino, and sister Rochelle Halsrud.

Larry was born on the Halsrud family farm March 9, 1943 in Bode, Iowa to parents Carlisle and Lorraine (Dasen) Halsrud. Larry spent his childhood days growing up in a loving Lutheran Norwegian/German family. He shared his adventures with 4 beautiful sisters and one special brother. He cherished making music together with his siblings. Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins provided hospitality and playmates in his early years. He especially enjoyed riding horses throughout the Bode countryside, playing cowboys with his best friend and cousin Terry Lee. Larry attended the Bode Consolidated School and graduated from Twin Rivers Community School class of 1960. Larry was an active athlete playing football, basketball, and participating in track and field at Twin Rivers. Always an introverted shy guy, Larry managed to charm all those he encountered with his kindness, good looks, and beautiful tenor singing voice. He was voted Twin Rivers Prom King. In school Larry excelled in mathematics. He chose to pursue a math major in college. It took Larry seven years of working road construction on crews throughout Iowa to pay his way through college. Larry graduated with a BA in Mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa in 1967. He was the first of his large family to earn a college degree. In 1967 Larry began his professional career teaching math and coaching football in Davenport, IA. There he met the love of his life, Barbara Jeanne Moon. At AB Junior High School Larry taught math full time and Barb was a substitute gym teacher. Larry first saw her standing near a large window illuminated in a ray of sunshine. He fell deeply in love with Barb and her young son Michael. Larry and Barbara were married at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode on June 20, 1970. They instantly became a family of three when Larry officially adopted Mike, his beloved chosen son. Together with his new family Larry moved north to Minnesota seeking to become a dependable head of the household. He left his teaching career behind and in 1969 joined Control Data Corporation. Over the next 17 years Larry worked in the world of computers at Control Data Corporation installing and supporting their mainframe systems until 1986. During that time 2 more children were born to Larry and Barb, a daughter, Sarah Jeanne in 1973 and a son, Kristopher Carlisle in 1975. Larry's three children remained his most treasured accomplishment and gifts throughout his lifetime.

In 1989 Larry was widowed unexpectedly. He never remarried, claiming Barb as the love of his life, and sharing with his children that he would always feel married to Barb no matter how long it had been since her passing. After Barb's death Larry became a single father to his children who were then 14,16, and 22 years old. He worked a series of sales jobs as he was committed to supporting his family and rebuilding his life. In 1995 Larry found his final job at Customer FX Corporation. He worked as Director of Support for Sales Management Software. He loved this work and his coworkers who treated him like family. Larry felt fortunate to work at this time with his son, Kris, at Customer FX. Larry finished out his professional career at Customer FX, retiring in 2013. During this stage of life, Larry warmly welcomed daughter in-laws Teri and Lisa, and son-in-law Dave to his tight knit family. He often shared his dry sense of humor with his new kids. He loved them each as his own. Three beautiful grandchildren, Allison, Shawn, and Nicholas became the joy of Larry's later years. Larry was called "Papa" by his grandchildren. He was a tender, loving, and energetic playmate for each of his grandchildren. He devoted his time babysitting, going on adventures, and helping the grandkids in any way he could. He was their first best friend and most dedicated cheerleader. Larry's grandchildren brought him pride and kept him forever young.

In his retirement, Larry hit the open roads of America driving to places like Graceland, The Alamo, Denare Beach in Canada, Virginia, New Jersey, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and the beaches of Florida to visit family and friends. Larry loved the great outdoors. He instilled the love of nature in his children through countless camping trips in the big blue tent, hikes through the woods, and bike rides around the neighborhood. He was a runner, and a strong man who loved to pump iron like his hero's Jack LeLanne, Arnold Schwazenegger and of course Superman himself. He also played golf often with Kris and his best-bud Robert Dicken. His special bond and friendship with the entire Dicken family was another source of continual joy for Larry.

In the last two years of his life, Larry resided in Rogers, AR. He was moved to Arkansas to be close to his daughter Sarah, who was his care partner and tireless advocate for his best life until the end.

Larry was described as the gentlest, kindest, best man by the people who knew and loved him. He was a reflective deep thinker and referred to himself as a poet philosopher. He was a self-taught acoustic guitar player and singer of folk music. His family thought of him as their own Elvis Presley. He loved music and had his guitar with him till the end. Above all he loved his family. He lived his life with love, compassion, and an unwavering willingness to help and teach others. Larry had a special way of giving the gift of undivided time and attention to those he loved.

His passing has left a great rift through the lives of all he befriended. But we are grateful he is at peace, reunited with Barb, and fully restored through God's grace.

"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."