Larry C. Winegar
November 03, 2022
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Service Details
Larry Charles Winegar, the son of Robert Lee Winegar and Eleanor Jean (Hansen) Winegar, was born June 21, 1950, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, IA and passed away November 3, 2022, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 72. Larry’s life journey ended just 100 short days after discovering he had brain Mets stemming from Stage IV Melanoma. After treatment, therapies, and lots of in between visits to the hospital his body said he was done.
Larry grew up with four other siblings on the east side of Des Moines by the fairgrounds on Sims Drive. He attended Stowe Elementary, Wilson Junior High, and East High School (class of 1968). Larry then went on to get his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Industrial Technology Education. During his high school and college years, he worked for Hy Vee and Stagehand Union Local 67. Larry did his student teaching at Southeast Polk High School, and was hired by Des Moines Public School to teach at his alma mater East High School starting the fall of 1973.
Larry married Peggy on November 24, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, Emily and Ashley. Larry and Peggy made their home on the east side of Des Moines until building their forever home in 1997 on an acreage between Pleasant Hill and Runnells, IA.
Larry taught woodshop in the Des Moines School district for 39 years between East High, Harding Middle, and North High Schools before he retired in 2012. It seemed whenever Larry would encounter a former student, they would have a great story to tell about their experience in his classroom and let him know how much he had influenced their life or the life of a friend. Larry was a huge advocate for trades education and teaching life skills. He loved passing along his talents to his students, kids, and grandkids through various projects around the house or building something together in the shop.
Larry enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, Cardinals baseball games with Peggy, woodworking in his at-home woodshop, going to auctions, frequenting his favorite retail store (Menards), taking millions of pictures of anything and everything, and supporting his grandchildren at their multiple activities. Larry loved to visit with anyone who would lend him an ear. He never told a “short” story (ha ha)!
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents, Charles and Gladys Winegar; his maternal grandparents, Roy and Corabelle Hansen; his granddaughter Abigail Ilene Knoop; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Survivors include his wife: Peggy Ilene (Anderson) Winegar of Runnells, IA; daughters: Emily Truitt (Toby Knoop) of Des Moines, IA, and Ashley Snyder (Robby) of Carlisle, IA; grandchildren: Dallas (Emma) Knoop of Jordan, MN, Zach Truitt of Indianola, IA, Cora Knoop of Des Moines, IA, Aden and Emerie Snyder, and Owyn Lack of Carlisle, IA; great-grandson: Wesley Knoop of Jordan, MN; brother: Dennis (JoEllen) Winegar of Bettendorf, IA; sisters: Nancy (Dean) Sandquist of Carmel, IN, Lois (Paul) Nelson of Ankeny, IA, and Linda (Brian) Wilkin of Overland Park, KS; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. El Haddad (Oncologist), Dr. Adam (Radiology Oncologist), Dr. Maks (CCU at MercyOne), Jake (Chaplain at MercyOne), Sister Susan (PCT at MercyOne), and also many other doctors, nurses, and PCTs who cared for Larry over the past few months. Also, a thank you goes to Jim (Transport at MercyOne) for his kindness and visits with Larry about tenderloins.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., November 9, 2022 also at the funeral home followed by burial at Warren Powers Cemetery, Adelphi. Family invites you to join them for a reception following the burial held at the Eagles Lodge 6567 Bloomfield Rd, Des Moines.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Darren Robbins
11/11/2022
Hard to believe that it was a wood shop teacher that gave the biggest impact on my life that I carry still to this day
And also taught my own son in a wood shop class ass well
One of a kind!
Jerry Uhlman
11/10/2022
I was so sorry to hear about Larry. My memories go way, way back to Sims Drive and the neighborhood. Larry touched so many lives and will be long remembered. My deepest condolences and thoughts are with you.
Jana Edwards
11/08/2022
So sorry for your loss! He was an awesome teacher I got to teach with at North let alone I got to coach his beautiful daughter Emily! Thinking of you all!!
Dave Williamson, Runnells, IA
11/08/2022
When I was young, my brothers would talk about their woodshop class at East and "Mr. Winegar" or "Winnie" and how it was best class at school. When I was in 9th grade, our first project was to take a board that was not square and with a block plane, you had to square it up. I had the crafty idea of taking mine home and doing it on the table saw. My plan was to bring it back to school and run the plane over it a couple times so it would not be so square. But before I finished, Mr. Winegar said let me see that. He looked it over and showed the class the table saw kerf marks. I knew, I was in trouble. He took the board over to the bandsaw and cut it into pieces and threw it across the shop. It was dead silent, I was scared and I think everyone else was also. He said "Now Mr. Williamson, you can start over."
I continued on taking wood shop over the next years, Winnie and I became close, we used my truck to go after school down to Paxtons Lumber and get the wood for class projects. I guess he never held it against me. My last year of school, I was his student helper for the afternoons in his classes. But instead of me helping in the class, he would let me go early everyday to go to an after school job, so I could get more hours in.
I'm 51 now and the experiences in the East HS shop still stand with me.
He and I would stay in contact with each other over the years as we were neighbors in the Camp Twp. area and talk about life.
Mr. Winegar was one of those guys that left an impression on you.
To his family, I am sorry for your loss. Larry was a good man!
Dharl Bagley
11/07/2022
It comes with a sad heart that I learned a man that had a big influence on my life has passed away much too soon.
Larry Winegar was more than a school teacher to me, more than the favorite class of the day and more than someone who gave me a great part time job. He taught me techniques I still use to this day in wood working and restoration.
Although im devastated, I know the impact you have left as well the legacy in wood working passed down will continue to shine.
Every spud nut thats ever been impacted by you will agree you were a great man.
Its now my job to carry on the torch to the next generation the same way you taught me.
Moving down the street from you in Runnells was a highlight even though we never got around to building that table we discussed.
Till we meet again Mr Winegartill we meet again big daddy!!!
Shellie Treanor (Diehm)
11/07/2022
Oh Mr. Winegar. What a teacher! I loved being in his class at EHS and witness to his camaraderie with fellow students. He truly was a special man. Prayers of peace to his family and friends.
Megan mccoy
11/07/2022
Mr.larry was a wonderful man to be around he touched alot.of peoples life he was a joy to have as a teacher in harding middle school your will be missed dearly
Neal Banks
11/06/2022
Larry was an amazing person who had a huge influence on me in my younger years. He always had time to talk to me on a personal level when my step father passed while in high school. He taught me woodworking skills that I have used throughout my life. Never forgot a name even after seeing him years later at our favorite store saving Big Money. Truly one of a kind. Prayers to the family.
David Patterson
11/05/2022
I am so sorry for your loss. I was privileged to teach in the same hall with Larry at North High School. I can still hear his voice over the noise of the power tools! I always appreciated how he welcomed me in to learn about the skills he was teaching the students.
Brenda McNichols (Bates)
11/05/2022
Mr. Winegar was my favorite teacher. I took his woodshop class in 6th and 7th grade at Harding and was his student helper in 8th grade. In 9th grade, i was beyond happy when he moved to North high so I could continue to take his classes. We had many trips to DQ and Mr Bibbs for shakes. He always told me he thought of me as a daughter. I continued to visit even after I graduated until he retired. It's been years since I've seen him but this news is devistating. He was a treasure. I looked up to him a lot and appreciate all tlhe taught me. He will be greatly missed. We m so sorry to Peggy and his girls. Praying for his family ❤
Kathy Hykes
11/05/2022
I got to know Larry backstage at the Civic Center during DMSO concerts, and also as a teacher at North High. He always had a friendly smile and time for a nice chat. So sorry for your loss!
Jon Garton
11/05/2022
So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. I think of Larry quite a bit recently as I have been working backstage at the DM Playhouse, Larry helped me get involved in backstage work at Vets and the Civic Center when I was in high school.
My condolences to Emily, Peggy and the to the rest of the family.