Larry Bjornsen

Larry Bjornsen

Cedar Rapids

Larry Bjornsen passed away peacefully on the morning of Jan. 15, 2023, at the age of 89 in his home in Naples, Fla. Larry was the son of Evelyn and Hartman J. “Ole” Bjornsen. He and his younger brother Terry were born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Larry was a graduate of Franklin High School, which is where he met his wife of 65 years, Penny Jones Bjornsen. Larry graduated from Iowa State University and was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Following college, Larry proudly served in the U.S. Army Engineering Corp for two years. He was stationed in Germany.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Larry went to work with his father and brother and served as Vice President of Bjornsen Investment Corporation, as well as Atlas Ready Mix Concrete Co. Larry and his family were excavation and concrete contractors in Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa. The company developed and managed many of Cedar Rapids' largest apartment complexes and built the area's first condominiums. They also developed a number of large residential, commercial and warehousing projects. Larry was an active member and past President of the Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association.

Larry was an avid golfer and he and his family were members of Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids, where he served as past president. In the winters, Larry and Penny would spend their time in South Florida. They spent many years at their home at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Fla., and later moved to Wildcat Run in Estero, Fla. Following the death of his wife Penny in 2021, Larry moved to Naples, Fla., to be closer to his eldest daughter, Teri and her husband Paul. They had many great times in Florida where they made many friends, had many family visitors, and enjoyed many rounds of golf. Larry was especially proud of his nine holes-in-one at golf courses in both Iowa and Florida and his five Club Championships at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Fla. He also was the Cedar Rapids Senior City Champion. Although Larry and Penny spent their winters in Florida, they always had a soft spot for the town they grew up in, Cedar Rapids.

Larry enjoyed taking his family on vacation to Lake Okoboji in the early years and Caribbean cruises in the later years. Larry enjoyed playing cards and his weekly trips to the casino. Many long-lasting family memories were created for everyone involved, but especially for his four children, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Terry; and his wife Penny. Larry is survived by his four children, Teri (Paul) Zahour, Tracy Powers, Kristi (Gary) McCauley and Mike (Betsy) Bjornsen. He also is survived by his sister-in-law, Marge; three nephews and one niece.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to Zach Johnson Foundation, P.O. Box 2336, Cedar Rapid, IA 52406.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom, Cedar Rapids, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Private family service will be held the following day at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.