Larry Recker, 96, of Oelwein passed away peacefully on Sunday November 9, 2025 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI surrounded by his children. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday November 21, 2025 and from 9:00-10:00 AM on Saturday November 22, 2025 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein, with a Rosary Service beginning at 3:30 PM and Military Honors by the American Legion of Oelwein beginning at 6:30 PM, both on Friday. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM on Saturday November 22, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Fr. Ray Atwood officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation.
Larry Edwin Recker was born October 17, 1929 in Earlville, IA to parents Alfred and Florence (Besler) Recker. He graduated from Stanley High School with the class of 1947. Larry served his country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Korean War from January of 1951 to July of 1952. On August 27, 1955 he was united in marriage with Mary Lou Hogan in Jesup. She passed away in 1993. On June 30, 1995 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Jacobsen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. She passed away in 2016.
Larry's family moved from Earlville, IA to Fayette County where he was a hardworking and successful corn and soybean farmer for 66 years. He was very skilled mechanically, which led him to serve as an Air Force Mechanics instructor during the Korean War. Larry’s mechanical aptitude and keen interest in improving how things operate resulted in the invention of the patented Hand and Corn Saver attachment for seed corn pickers. Not one to sit still, he delivered seed corn for DeKalb to locations throughout the Midwest for many years.
Larry enjoyed wintering in Arizona, golfing, playing Blackjack in Las Vegas, listening to Irish crooner Daniel O’Donnell, and ballroom dancing (especially at the Oelwein Coliseum). He was very proud of his grandchildren and attended their many activities- soccer, showing dairy cattle, dance recitals, plays, band concerts, and show choir performances. Larry was a member of Sacred Heart Church and served on the Church Council, was an usher, and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Soybean Association and National Farmers Organization.
Left to celebrate Larry’s life are his children: Julie (Mark) Bundy of Ankeny, Connie (John) Meyer of Rollingstone, MN and Mark (Nichole) Recker of Arlington; his step-children: Norman (Jackie) Jacobsen of Mesa, AZ and Carmen (Terry) Schamel of Lohrville; his grandchildren: Paul (Maggie) Bundy, Eric Bundy, Kate Meyer, Megan Meyer, Evan Recker and Grace Recker; his step-grandchildren: Jacob (Morgan) Schamel, Breanne Wingfield, Jamie Jacobsen, Jason Farnsworth and Miranda Goodman; his great-grandchildren: Catherine and Claire Bundy, Makenna and Colton Wingfield, Oakley Schamel and one on the way; his siblings: Sharon Woods and Dale Recker; as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mary Lou and his wife Mary Ann; his son in infancy Dave Recker in 1959, his son Craig Recker in 1981; his step-daughter Sandy Goodman; his siblings: Carl Recker, Ernie Recker, Mary Ann Ryan, Lyle Recker, Betty Reeser and Linda Linder.
