Larry M. Hibbs

LARRY M. HIBBS

Cedar Rapids

Larry M. Hibbs, 75, currently of Springville, and formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Dec. 25, 2018, in his home with family surrounding him. Iowa Cremation is caring for Larry and his family in Cedar Rapids.

Larry was born in Chariton, Iowa, on Sept. 6, 1943, to Phaene and Orva (Fjelland) Hibbs. He graduated form Chariton High School and the University of Iowa. He married Susan (Sue) Gerlach on Sept. 4, 1965, in Iowa City, Iowa. Larry was a captain in the U.S. Army and served in Germany and Vietnam from 1966 to 1970. He and Sue took every travel advantage they could during his leave time in Germany to explore Europe. After his military service, Larry worked as a salesperson and sales and marketing manager for 30 years. He retired from Swiss Valley Farms in 1999 in Mount Joy, Iowa, after 22 years with the company.

Larry's free time was spent playing golf, bridge, working outside (he always had a meticulous yard and garden) and following the Cubs, Bears and all Hawkeyes sports. He was an avid reader of both nonfiction and fiction and anything to do with history. He and Sue lived in six states and Germany, enjoyed traveling by RV, and entertaining friends and family. He really enjoyed spending time with his family on RAGBRAI as a biker once, and often as a support person for the team. He spent several years volunteering at Cedar Valley Humane Society mowing, cleaning trails and helping with fundraising efforts. He was a past member of Thursday Noon Optimists, and for the past 10 years, a member of the American Legion Post 331 in Springville.

Left to honor his memory are his wife, Sue; sister, Barb (Bill) Shelton; brother, Tom (Betty) Hibbs; and 10 nieces and nephews. He had a special fondness for his niece, Karen Jones, and nephew, Brian Hibbs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane Hibbs; and much loved niece, Melissa Shelton Burget.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Mercy doctors, hospital and Mercy Hospice for the wonderful care he received over the past eight years. We also would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Chirantan Ghosh and all of his wonderful staff. They were like family over the years.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on Jan. 19, 2019, at the American Legion Post 331, 252 Broadway St., Springville, Iowa, from 3 to 6 p.m. Dress is casual.

Contributions in Larry's memory may be made to American Legion Post 331, P.O. Box 347, Springville, IA 52336, Thursday Noon Optimist Club of Cedar Rapids, P.O. Box 1506, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406, or the Anna Purna Ghosh Foundation, P.O. Box 1248, Springville, IA 52336 or a charity of choice.

Larry was a doer, hard worker, very friendly, a never-give-up kind of guy, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.