Lawrence “Larry” Herbert Onken, son of the late Virgil and Emmarita Tiefenthaler Onken-Lawrence was born August 17, 1946 in Carroll, IA and passed away peacefully at Regency Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on April 13, 2021 at the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 26 days.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at St. John Paul II Parish – St. Lawrence Church beginning at 10:30 a.m. The celebrant will be Fr Kevin Richter. Music will be provided by Jane Heithoff as the accompanist and Kathleen Macke as the cantor. Honorary casket bearers for the service are Kevin Onken, Chad Onken, Scott Onken, Mike Williams, and Kyle Williams. Casket Bearers for the service are Don Keller Ron Macke, Steve Hausman, John Hausman, Brian Hausman, and Matt Hausman. Burial will follow in the Carroll Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a prayer service that is open to the public at 7 p.m. An additional visitation without greeting the family will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the church. Those in attendance of Larry’s services are required to wear a face covering and abide by social distancing practices.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Larry’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Larry graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School with the class of 1965. He was united in marriage to the love of his life Susan Kay Hausman on February 23, 1974 at St. Johns Catholic Church in Arcadia, IA. This union was blessed with one son, Ryan Christopher born on March 2, 1976.
Larry started off working as a painter for Luchtel Painting in Carroll. After a few years of painting, he started a career with Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in Carroll, IA. After 25 years at Pepsi, he took an early retirement due to health reasons.
Larry had many hobbies and interests over the years. He was a life-long member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. He was also a member of the Moose Club in Carroll. He enjoyed fishing, wood working, hunting, classic car shows, occasional gambling trips with Susan, and of course time with his family. He was especially proud of his 1972 Chevelle that he purchased new from his father. Larry took very good care of his vehicles. He restored and maintained his Chevelle to the present day. For many years he could be found on at Kerp’s Bar on Sunday afternoons with his buddies. He rarely missed the annual family Summer trip to Lake Okoboji.
Over the past few years, Larry’s health had declined, but his strength and strong spirit never wavered. He would always greet you with a big smile and ready for a visit.
He will be forever cherished in the lives of his spouse Susan Onken of Carroll, IA, his son Ryan (Nichole) Onken of Carroll, IA, 3 Grandchildren: Kyle Emery of Cedar Rapids, IA, Molly Emery of Carroll, IA, and Bently Onken of Carroll, IA, his brother: Vern Onken of Arcadia, IA, Mother-in-law Vergene Hausman, 3 brothers-in-law: Steve (Lisa) Hausman of Carroll, IA, John (Julie) Hausman of Halbur, IA, and Brian (Jean) Hausman of Arcadia, IA. 3 sisters-in-law: Kate (Glenn) Williams of Moline, IL, Barb (George) Halverson of Scottsdale, AZ, and Kathy Onken of Omaha, NE, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Emmarita Onken, two brothers Darrell “Doc” Onken and Myron Onken, his father-in-law: Louis Hausman, and a brother-in-law: George Hausman.