Lawrence Ihrig
February 27, 2020
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Larry came into this world on January 21, 1947. He was lovingly placed in the arms of Larry and Mary Jane (Riley) Ihrig.
Larry grew up in Des Moines and proudly graduated in the Rock'n Roll era of 1965 from Des Moines North High School. Larry signed up to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp and during that time served in Vietnam. Upon his return home he applied to the Des Moines Police Department. Larry retired as a Senior Police Officer after 40 years. Just prior to retiring he found he had liver cancer. By the grace of God he was given a second chance in life with a liver transplant at the University of Iowa Hospital.
Whatever Larry did in life he did it with a passion. His love of hockey made him one of the longest season ticket holders of the Des Moines Buccaneers. He was always a season ticket holder with Iowa Wild but the BUCS were his passion. Larry had an extensive hockey jersey and hat collection and was known to sport some very fashionable attire at the games, #22, his number he carried with him from High School track.
Larry began walking about 30 years ago and for 6 days a week he would cover the trails and streets of Des Moines and Central Iowa. He loved wildlife and made many friends along his walks. The one day he did not walk was the day he served the Lord. He read his Bible twice a day each day and served his church, Holy Trinity.
Larry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paulette; his daughter, Ann Mercer (Dennis), Naples, FL; grandsons, Justin Von Eschen (fiancée, Lorrie Corman), Blue Springs, MO, and Jeremy (Shauna) Von Eschen, Holiday, FL; granddaughter, Jenna (Andrew) Sachs, Avoca, IA; and great-grandchildren, Waylon & Emmitt Sachs and Gabriella Von Eschen. Larry also leaves behind his half-sister, Linda Breen, Des Moines, IA.
In addition, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Pauline Steinbach, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Steve Lee, Alan and Alice Steinbach, Cindy and Dan McDonough, Caroline Buckroyd, Cheryl and Scott Temple, Claudia and Mark Van Der Sluis, and Clarice Steinbach and Scott McPherson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Mary Jane Ihrig; father-in-law, Donald Steinbach; brothers-in-law, Chris and Donnie Steinbach and Scott Buckroyd; niece, Bernadette Lee; and nephew, Jonathan Lee.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Holy Trinity Church, 2926 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, followed by burial at Pine Hill Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, The University of Iowa's Hospitals & Clinics, or Iowa Food Bank. If attending Mass services, canned good donations may be brought to the church.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cheryl L Fridl
03/03/2020
It was a privilege to work with Larry. Always happy and you never knew what was going to pop out of his mouth. Just a hilarious guy. My condolences Paulette. He was one of a kind.
Linda Rees Seger
03/03/2020
Dear Cousin, We thought so much of you... we didn't get together or hob-nob but we knew you were there! Thank you so much for attending our parents' services--it meant a lot to us and I'm sure they noticed! Please tell your dear parents hello for us... Paulette, God Bless you always. Love, Linda
Vicki Shepherd
03/03/2020
Paulette and Family: my heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss of Larry. He was a senior at North when I was a sophomore and we enjoyed a class or two together. Such good memories of the fun we had. He was truly a great guy, and will definitely be missedespecially at Nirth Highs basketball games. May he RIP and may you find peace with all of your wonderful memories of the life you shared together. His light will shine on.
ron brooks
03/03/2020
I first met Larry as a sophomore in high school. He was a senior yet in typical Larry fashion he helped me work on a basketball shot that helped me make the team. Larry continued this pattern of helping others through his entire life.
Paulette I'm so sorry that I will not be able to attend his services.
Please know how much I miss our phone calls. I'm going to miss our hockey games, Iowa cubs baseball games, Matinee movies and watching the UNI softball games together. Mostly I'm going to miss his friendship.
If there is anything I can do for you please let me know.
Lindalee Lovelace
03/03/2020
Paulette,
I'm so sorry for Larry's passing. My prayers are with you for God's comfort and peace now and in the days and months ahead.
ED AND BETTY MCGINN
03/03/2020
REST IN PEACE LARRY OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY YOU WILL BE MISSED,,
Sharon Bennink
03/03/2020
Paulette, your family will definitely be in my prayers during this difficult time.
Your friend from Broadlawns Medical Center
Sharon Bennink
Dave Williamson
03/03/2020
Paulette and Clarice:
So sorry for your loss. Long ago, Larry and I would have breakfast together each morning at the diner by Dewey Ford. He'd offer me his bottle of hot sauce even though every time I would tell him no. I read some of the entries here and it reminds me of the smiles Larry brought to everyone. "How big is it"
Larry was a good man!!
Again, sorry for your loss.
Marcella sawick
03/03/2020
Larry and I go way back to the 60s, and when he came home from Vietnam and said lets get married and go to California to finish serving his time in the marine corp it sounded like fun to an 18 year old! Many stories could be told of our adventures. I saw Larry last at our grand daughters wedding he rode with me from the wedding to reception, we discussed how proud we were of our daughter and our three grand children.
Larry you were one of the good guys! May you soar with the angel and rest easy in gods grace!
My deepest condolences to Paulette, Ann and families!
Steven Bell
03/03/2020
No words can adequately describe Larry......one of a kind is to say the least. He truly was one of the last old school officers left. Many stories can be told about Larry....and amazingly there all true!
Larry will be greatly missed by all that knew him and a sadder place for those that never met him.
Kurt Harter
03/02/2020
Larry and Paulette as well as many of DMPD was a big part of my childhood. Larry always made me laugh at his one liners even though I had no idea what he was talking about! Just his laughter after he said something was enough to get me to chuckle right along with him. I will always remember the hunting trip that him and my Dad took me on, fireworks at his house, hockey games in the basement and the costume parties at the building were my Dad and Larry dressed up just like the Blues Brothers. Big part of my childhood memories! Thanks Larry for being in our lives, a long time family friend and RIP. We will all see you again.
Down to there
Kurt Harter
Bob and Pam Harter
03/02/2020
Paulette we are unbelievably saddened by Larrys untimely passing. His friendship and yours is a cherished gift and he will always be with us. Our prayers to you now and the days ahead. Call on us anytime you want because we are here for you.
David M. Murillo
03/02/2020
Larry would often sit in Crime Analysis with me in the late 80's and we'd figure out the world's problems. He loved his fellow officers and they loved him. Character? Larry was a character and then some. His screaming and yelling in the hallways were hysterical as was his ability to crank off top gold-braid! Every time he saw me he said "hello pal-ee" "hello buddy boy!" "you're a big man! I like big men!" Larry was a good cop. He took his trips and did his job without complaining. Thank you for your service Larry both in Vietnam and as a Des Moines police officer. You Sir attained legendary status at #25 E. 1st Street. RIP my friend. You need anything Paulette please call.
Troy Cook
03/02/2020
What a joy to listen to back in the day on the scanner!!! Loved the hockey game trips and the countless stories!! Iowa's Greatest Hockey Fan!!!
RIP BUDDY!!!
Dave Brown
03/02/2020
I've said before that were officers on the DMPD that were truly dedicated to their profession. And then there were officers who were not only dedicated to the law enforcement profession, but were characters in their own right that made being around them a great experience. Larry qualified for that description. He was a dedicated officer and a true friend to all who he worked with. Larry carried his support for his fellow officers with him even after his retirement. He always found time to visit people in the hospital and could always be counted on to pay his respects at funeral services.
Now it is our turn to show the same respect to him. We will all miss him.
Paulette, I hope this goes without saying, if there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
With all due respect,
Dave Brown (retired DMPD)