Larry Bowman, age 83 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Loring Hospital in Sac City with his family by his side. Larry Raymond Bowman was born on January 27, 1941, in Sac City to Helen (Bing) Bowman. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Christian Church in Sac City.

   Growing up, Larry worked alongside his dad doing plumbing work and working as a meat cutter at Lange’s Creamery. He also worked for Farber & Otteman Funeral Home as a removal assistant. Larry graduated from Sac City High School with the class of 1960. He was scouted by many area colleges as he was the local high school football star. Larry turned down the offers and went to work for Ferd Hansen selling Allis Chalmers tractors. He always enjoyed working on cars which led him to working at Chuck’s Garage in Lytton, IA. He also did auto body work on the side for many years. In the late sixties, Larry was hired by the Sac County Secondary Roads Department. He worked for the county until retiring in 2006.

   Larry married Marilyn Foster in 1972 and gained an adorable daughter for life, Shelley. Larry and Marilyn were blessed with another daughter, Shannon, in 1975. The couple later divorced.

   On September 7, 1991, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Irene Smith. The two wed in San Diego, CA, where Sandy was living at the time. The couple made their home back in Sac City. This union blessed Larry with three more children for life: Connie, John, and Nicole.

   When the girls were growing up Larry had a hobby farm. They raised chickens, sheep, and a few head of cattle at a time, as well as pigs. They were taught from a young age how to care for the animals and do chores. The girls were always alongside him, learning, doing, and more importantly, making memories. Their dad was someone who insisted on making life FUN. He loved to embarrass his girls in public by acting silly; he was quite the prankster. He was also their biggest protector.

   Larry and Sandi planted a huge garden every spring. This of course meant a lot of canning in the late summer but to Larry, being the foodie that he was, the work was well worth it. He made amazing baked beans that everyone looked forward to at church potlucks and had a secret spaghetti sauce recipe that he gave to no one. He also enjoyed smoking meat and different foods.

   To say Larry was an avid fisherman is an understatement. He fished from the time he was little up until just recently. He took many trips to Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota to name a few….all to fish. His girls recall most weekends being spent at the river or on the lake fishing with him. He was excited when he caught a shark while on a trip with Sandi to the British Virgin Islands and had a great time fishing for tuna fish off the coast of California. He loved the outdoors. Larry was a trap shooter in high school which led to him enjoying the sport throughout his whole life. He taught his kids to shoot guns and traveled often to shoot with his brother, Gary. He also enjoyed deer hunting.

Larry was an amazing woodworker. He crafted many beautiful pieces over the years for family and friends. He made a beautiful rocking motorcycle for his grandson that won a blue ribbon at the county fair as well as at the Iowa State Fair. This led to he and Sandi being invited for lunch with the Governor after being asked to make a special wooden ornament for the tree at the capitol.

   Larry and Sandi enjoyed wintering in their fifth wheel in Yuma, AZ, for sixteen years before purchasing a mobile home in Yuma, which they stayed in for the past eight winters. It was in Yuma that Larry found his “Blue Bug” that he could be found cruising around Sac City in.

   Larry served on the Sac City Fire Department for many years, was a police officer reserve, and was always willing to lend a hand anytime his community or even nearby communities needed volunteers. He also served as a trustee at church.

   He was a wonderful man who loved his family dearly. He provided for them and brought so many smiles to their faces over the years. He will be so missed by all who knew and loved him.

   Survivors include his wife, Sandi Bowman of Sac City, IA; children: Shelley (Terry) Vauble of Sac City, IA, Shannon Bowman (Kevin Lohff) of Sac City, IA, Connie (Paul) Cruz of Phoenix, AZ, and Nicole (Jeff) Helmer of Durango, CO; grandchildren Derrick (Brooke) Kraft, Casey (Kambry) Kraft, Beau (Tanner) Kraft, Francis, Aerian, Angel, and Antega Cruz, Leah Crow, and Megan (Devin) Crow; great-grandchildren Casen and Joseph Kraft; sisters-in-law Isabellita Bowman of CA, and Sue (Wayne) Hoover of Cedar Rapids, IA; special friend Donnie Rehm; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.

   Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Bowman; parents-in-law Vernon “Dick” and Ruby Smith; son John Crow; and siblings Gary Bowman and Betty (Roger) Albertson.