Lawrence (Larry) Quinlan

Lawrence (Larry) Quinlan was born May 18, 1934, to William J. and Barbara A. (Tomash) Quinlan in a farmhouse North of Oxford on the river bottom. He was the 4th of 5 children, Kathy, Eileen, Rose Ann and Jerry. Larry died Friday, April 4, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City at the age of 90 years.

He walked to several country schools and graduated from Oxford High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Army March 1954 serving in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri before getting shipped out to Okinawa serving until March 1956. He married his fiancé, Jean Henik from Mt. Vernon on August 2, 1956, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lisbon, Iowa. Larry farmed with his father and brother for several years north of Oxford until moving to the south of Marengo in February 1974. He eventually farmed with his son Mike in the Marengo and Oxford area. He was a corn and bean and popcorn producer and had a large cow calf operation. He had an open heart surgery in May 1985 that took a toll on him, but he continued on actively with his farming after a year’s recuperation, buying 40 more years of life with his family. Larry and his daughter Joni Lawson traveled to Washington DC in 2015 as honorees with the Veterans Honor Flight. After the long day they met at the airport with cheers and lots of well wishes. Larry was a member of the Marengo Post 76 Legion, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved nature, taking daily walks for health, feeding the birds, fishing and hunting and traveling with Jean and family. They had traveled to all 50 states, Mexico and Jamaica. He loved his grandchildren and had a special place in his heart for every one of them. He taught us the importance of kindness, fairness and gratitude, virtues that are important to everyone. He had a generous heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jerry (Mary) and two sisters, Kathy (Kenneth) and Eileen (Leonard); two sons, Dan (Deb) and Joe; great grandson Grayson Seye; brother-in-law Francis Sippy and sister-in-law Kathryn Henik. He is survived by his wife Jean Quinlan; son Mike (Julie) of Marengo; daughters: Joni Lawson of Ottumwa and Anne Quinlan of Fort Dodge; son Ed (Janel) of Hamilton, Illinois; 13 grandchildren Katherine Seye, Lee Quinlan, Meredith Beaderstadt, Tauni Netz, Tabatha Sundermeyer, Logan Nordstrom, Callie Lawson, Morgan Lawson, Holly Neuberger, Jeana Quinlan, Aidan Quinlan, Dominick Quinlan and Parker Quinlan; 11 great grandchildren Kane, Lexie, Walker, Kyler, Breslin, Stetson, Everette, Kimia, Violet, Sonny and Archie; a brother-in-law: Roland Henik of Mt. Vernon and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Marengo. Father David Wilkening will be officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Marengo. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo with a rosary service at 3:30 p.m.. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for St. Patrick's Catholic Church- Marengo, Altar and Rosary Society-Marengo or the American Legion. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service is caring for Larry and his family.