Lawrence A. “Larry” Wesely, 87, of Perry passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa, surrounded by family.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 1-7 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory at 1721 Park St. in Perry. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 1312 Third St. in Perry, followed by a luncheon in the St. Patrick School gymnasium at 1302 Fifth St. in Perry. Burial will take place at a later date at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa.
Larry was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, on Sept. 27, 1937, and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1956.
Shortly thereafter, he met Beverly Drinken, and they were united in marriage on Aug. 2, 1958. After living in Owatonna and Mason City, Iowa, they settled in Perry in 1961. Over the initial eight years of marriage, they welcomed three children, Kathy, Karen and Kurt, to their family. Larry and Bev enjoyed five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Larry spent much of his career in the grocery profession, with a brief detour at Stokely Lumber. He retired in 2002 from the Perry Hy-Vee store after more than 20 years of service.
Larry was also a handyman, seeking every opportunity to take different odd jobs to make a few extra dollars. He especially enjoyed his time working with one of his friends, delivering AE Dairy products to stores throughout Perry and later installing windows around Perry and surrounding towns.
His hard work ethic was instilled in his children, and they are grateful for the influence. He was an outgoing person and a familiar face throughout town, always armed with a smile and enthusiastic greeting.
Larry volunteered countless hours coaching and announcing games for Perry Softball and Perry Little League as his children and grandchildren grew. He loved sports and became an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan as well as a college sports fan with a large focus on the Iowa State Cyclones.
However, his favorite team was always the one his kids, grandkids or great-grandkids were playing for.
Lastly, Larry was locally famous for the sugar cookies he baked and frosted for countless events throughout Perry. After his retirement, he became known as the “Cookie Man” thanks to the tens of thousands of sugary delights he produced in his home kitchen. If you wanted a particular shaped cookie, chances are he had a cookie cutter for that!
Now, reunited with the love of his life, we are sure Larry and Bev are Polka dancing the night away to the Malek’s Fishermen at that big dance hall in the sky!
Survivors include his daughter Karen (Jeff) Stewart of Perry; son, Kurt (Trish) Wesely of Crossville, Tennessee; one sister, Mary (Dave) Kruger of Owatonna, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Mandy (Steve Lage) Stewart of Roland, Iowa, Tara Wesely of Nashville, and Mindy (Kyle) Baxter of Perry; two grandsons, Logan Wesely and Tyler Wesely of Crossville, Tennessee; three great-grandchildren, Reese, Cash and Charlie Baxter of Perry; sisters-in-law, Barb Wesely, Ramona Wesely, Veta Moravec, Elise Elzen, Betty Bradley, Mildred (Don) Wymore and Joanne (Maynard) Madson; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by Beverly, his bride of 65 years; and his eldest daughter, Kathy Wesely; parents, Frank and Mary Wesely; brothers, Jerry Wesely, Richard Wesely and Donald Wesely; sisters, Genevieve Keller and Dorothy Schoenert; father-in-law, George Drinken; mother-in-law, Elsie Drinken; brothers-in-law, Tom Schoenert, Ken Keller, Merle Wehr, Richard Moravec, Daniel Elzen, Lyle Kohler and Gene Bradley; and sisters-in-law, Marge Wesely, Jane Wesely, Ione Kohler, Nelda Luft and Arlene Wehr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Patrick Catholic Church or the Perry Booster Club.
