Lawrence R. Sufka
April 02, 2011
Lawrence R. “LR” Sufka died of cancer at the age of 81, at Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 2, 2011. He was born in Rice, MN, on October 13, 1929, to Elizabeth (Roszeck) and Albert Sufka, and was the second-youngest of 13 children. He married Rose Wojtanowicz, also of Rice, MN, on August 5, 1952. He served in the US Army in Korea during the Korean Conflict, from 1952 to 1954. After his discharge, he worked as a salesman in several cities in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa, before settling in Des Moines in 1964. In 1968, he began working for the United States Post Office, and retired from there on September 1, 1990. He was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church, and sang with the men's choir for many years. He enjoyed fishing in Minnesota and Canada, gardening, and playing cribbage.
He is survived by six of his children: Lawrence, Jr., of Des Moines, IA, Susan (Bruce) Eveland of Eugene, OR, Kenneth (Stevi Self) of Oxford, MS, Pamela (Mike) Boyd of Maxwell, IA, James (Karen) of Grand Junction, CO, David (Laura Byrd) of Eugene, OR; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Matt) Desmond, Natalie and Kathryn Sufka, Erin, Zachary, Emily, and Isaac Boyd, and Riley, Raina, and Jaden Woolworth; and siblings Elizabeth Chirhart of St. Cloud, MN, Emma Rassier of Sartell, MN, Andrew Sufka of Little Falls, MN, and Raymond Sufka, of Grey Eagle, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, and daughters Barbara and Linda.
A memorial service will be held in Rice, MN, at a later date, with burial at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Rice, MN. Memorial contributions may be made in LR's name to Taylor House in Des Moines, IA.
Online condolences may be sent to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Leonard Schaefer
04/23/2011
My family is saddened to hear of Larry's death. we have many fond memories of the Schaefers and the Sufkas....from when Larry was in grade school in Rice minnesota and living a mile from Leonard. Larry and Rose married about a month before Leonard and LaVern. We worked together for a few years, and frequently drove to DesMoines to reunite our families. The 7 Sufaka kids and 8 Schaefer kids had so much fun together. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Leonard
Paul (Omaha), Bill (Albequerque), Margaret (Omaha), Jean (Anchorage), Nancy (Omaha), Lenny (Montgomery), Jane (Columbus, Ohio), and Joan (Madison, WI)
Carolyn Hejtmanek
04/12/2011
I retired as the Director for the Orchard Place Residential program this past July. Larry came to visit at least once a year, he brought quilts made for the children living at Orchard Place. When children were newly admitted to OP, we always gave them a Welcome Bag and included in it a "Sufka Quilt", made by Rose, daughters or grand daughters. It was always great when larry came to visit, such a gentle and kind man, we always had a great visit and he was so proud of his family. Thank You for sharing your father and quilts with Orchard Place, thinking of you, I'm sure you will miss larry very much. Sincerely,Carolyn Hejtmanek
Abe DeVaul
04/06/2011
I was so sorry to see LR's obituary in the paper yesterday. I e-mailed John a copy. The loss of a special person is never easy. I am praying for all of you. May the Lord wrap his arms around you during this sad time.
Abe
Rick Breuss Family
04/06/2011
Having known Larry and his family (especially son Larry and wife Rose) for many years at Christ the King Parish, we are deeply saddened by his death. Larry was a marvelous contributor to the Parish in many ways, but I knew him best from his years of service in the Men's Choir. We could always count on Larry to be part of the group and, most often, he'd prepare the songlist for the Mass along with some quip/joke that would make us all chuckle. He will be missed at the 9:00 Mass on Sundays, for the vacancy of his voice from the Choir (even though he retired from the Choir several years ago), for his friendly face and smile, and for his cheerful "good morning" he'd always extend to us as he'd often ask about our family. Larry was a good and kind man to all he met. I am a better person for having known him.
My family and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all of Larry's family and hope that we all can appreciate his new life. There surely is a celebration in Heaven! Heaven is a better place with Larry in the fold with Our Lord and those who passed before him. We celebrate his life here on earth! Our love and prayers to all of Larry's family at this time.
Joe & Mary Miller
04/05/2011
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I'm sure you all have some wonderful memories of your parents. We sure had some good times together.
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Love & Prayers,
Joe & Mary Miller
Patty McFall Nichols
04/05/2011
I always enjoyed visiting with your father after the 9:00 Mass at Christ The King as he handed out the parish bulletins. He was a great person. Our families first became acquainted in the 60's when our mothers, Rose and Marie, met and became best friends. So I would like to extend sympathy and prayers from the McFall family. May God bless you all.
Bill Beck
04/05/2011
Going to miss Larry, the jokes and stories that he told, while handing out bulletins after the 9:00 Mass at Christ the King. He always gave away many vegetables from his garden, just as he gave of himself. I believe that Rose and Larry are together again.
Barbara Agan Timmins
04/05/2011
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Todd & Nannette Roach
04/05/2011
We are saddened to hear of your loss. May you have peace and strength at this time. You are in our thoughts.
Terri Doll
04/05/2011
My thoughts & prayers go out to the Sufka family.
I am a member of Christ the King Church & also graduated from high school
with his son Larry.
Please know I am thinking of your family & I am so sorry for your loss.
Mrs Robert O. Nelson
04/05/2011
We live in the 1100 block of SE Rose Ave, I'm deeply sorry at the loss of your Father. He was the best Mailman we ever had and we on his route still miss him. He was very cheerful, Many times the post office would not of been happy about this, but because my husband was very ill and I worked if it was raining or snowing he would bring the mail in and knock on the door. One time our daughter was here from KC Mo and I had put a note in the box he had returned from the hospital and he brought the mail to the door. Her reply when I got home was Mom I've never met a more caring Mailman. Too bad they aren't like the old days. We always knew when we would get the mail and it was always before 11 AM. My prayers and sympathy goes out to you and your family.He attended my husbands funeral many years ago, and his kind words met a lot to me and my daughter.
Boyd Kale
04/05/2011
My condolences to the family from a retired postal worker!
Ed and Donna Heurung
04/05/2011
Your father was a wonderful man. So kind and loving. Your family
has our deepest sympathy. May him and Rose have eternal peace.
Travis Shuput
04/04/2011
Larry was a great neighbor but a better friend. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry and his family.
Travis, Tara and Meredith Shuput