Larry Alex

     Larry Dean Alex, age 77, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018 at his residence in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.      Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids with Fr. John Gerald as Celebrant assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners.  Lector for the Mass will be Michelle Acklin.   Gift Bearers will be Anna Myers, Alex Cory and Sassy Hassett.  Casket bearers will be Joshua Alex, Brandon Cory, Jacob Hassett, Joey Hassett, Bobby Hassett, and Jett Alex.  Music for the Mass will be by the Annunciation choir with Diane Slater as organist.  Burial will be in the Union Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.      Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids after 5:00 P.M. on Monday where there will be a Christian Wake Service held at 6:30 P.M.   The casket will be moved to Annunciation Church at 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday where visitation will resume until the time of Mass.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Larry’s family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com      Born on November 6, 1940 in Coon Rapids, Larry was the son of Jack and Florence (Connor) Alex.  He grew up in Coon Rapids and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1958.  Following high school, Larry attended the University of Arizona where earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology.  He was married to Mary Pingrey on November 2, 1963 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids by Fr. Robert Dougherty.  The couple lived in Coon Rapids for five years before moving to Garden City, Kansas where Larry worked for the Garst and Thomas Seed Company as office manager.  Larry and Mary lived in Garden City for sixteen years where they raised their family.  They moved back to Iowa in 1987 and lived in Ankeny until moving back to Coon Rapids in 1998.  Larry cherished his family and loved attending his grandchildren’s events.  He was a hard worker but made sure to take time for many memorable family vacations.  Larry loved all things southwest and was an avid collector of Indian art. He enjoyed watching westerns, especially Roy Rogers.      Larry is survived by his wife Mary of 54 years of Coon Rapids; his three daughters and their families: Jennifer Hassett (Bob) of Des Moines, Melissa Thornbrugh (Jason) of Ankeny, and Sarah Alex of Ankeny; his grandchildren: Joshua Alex (Rachel), Jacob Hassett, Joseph Hassett, Bobby Hassett, Sarah “Sassy” Hassett, Brandon Cory, Alex Cory, Molly Thornbrugh, Brooke Thornbrugh, and Anna Myers; one great-grandson Wilder Dean Alex; his siblings: Gary Alex of Reseda, California, Trudy Jensen (John) of Buffalo, Minnesota, and Judy Townsend (Rex) of Corning, IA; two sisters-in-law: Jean Lucht (Roger) of Coon Rapids and Janet Hachmeister of Coon Rapids; a brother-in-law Larry VanVooren of Peoria, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.      Larry was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Florence Alex; his mother and father-in-law Kenneth and Elizabeth Pingrey; his step father-in-law Rex “Dutch” Lewis; a sister-in-law Molly VanVooren; and a son-in-law Brent Myers.