Larry Rains, 87, passed away peacefully at home on May 26, 2025, after a long battle with Lewy body dementia.
He was born on Nov. 18, 1937, in Guthrie Center, Iowa, to Walter and Francis Rains.
Larry spent his early years in and around Guthrie Center, attending various schools as his family moved throughout the area. In eighth grade, the family relocated to rural Coon Rapids, where he attended a country school and later Coon Rapids High School. He enjoyed participating in track and football. A final move back to Guthrie Center allowed him to complete a portion of his senior year there, graduating from Guthrie Center High School.
While living in Coon Rapids, Larry met his future wife, Elaine Jensen, a neighbor and friend. The couple married in 1957.
Shortly after, Larry served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Pittsburgh, and he was honorably discharged in 1958.
Larry began his career with John Deere in Ankeny while living in Des Moines.
In 1961 the family moved to Perry, where Larry and Elaine raised their four children, Dennis, Gregory, Roger and Nancy. They spent 28 wonderful years in Perry.
A devoted member of the Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church since 1965, Larry taught Sunday School and served on the church council multiple times.
He was active in the Perry community through the Jaycees, served as a Webelos Scout leader and sat on the district Scout committee. Larry was also a proud member of Elks Lodge 407, where he was honored as Elk of the Year in 1991.
A passionate outdoorsman, he was an avid hunter, an NRA member and enjoyed hunting trips out west.
A lifelong reader, Larry especially loved Westerns and collected more than 100 Louis L’Amour books.
He retired from John Deere after 30 years of service, and he and Elaine relocated to Lake Panorama, where they enjoyed 27 years of lake life. There Larry was active with the Home and Lot Owners group and became a Mason with Panora Lodge 121.
He found great joy playing cribbage with a local group who gathered weekly for breakfast and games.
In 2016, Larry and Elaine moved to a townhome in Urbandale to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They quickly became part of a vibrant community, enjoying card games, weekly dinners with friends, neighborhood gatherings, ladies’ lunches, holiday parties and many happy hours. It was truly a special place to call home.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine; sister, Joni Short; children, Dennis, Gregory and Nancy Wilson; seven grandchildren, Matt, Katherine Nizzi, Joey, Toby, Acacia and Kailee; and four great-grandchildren, Zuzu and Zephram Nizzi, Pepper and Grover. He is also survived by several cousins, many nieces and nephews and numerous cherished friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Roger, in 1982; and sisters, Norene Anderson and Kay Sheeder.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 29 from 5-7 p.m. at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Perry Chapel, with a Masonic Service to follow at 7 p.m. A funeral service will take place Friday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Perry. Burial will follow at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church or the Perry Area Food Pantry. Online condolences may be shared at www.caldwellparrish.com.
