Larry Shafer

Larry Max Shafer, 70, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic.

He was born September 24, 1946, the son of Max and Arlene (Lattimer) Shafer in Atlantic, Iowa. Larry was raised in the rural Atlantic area and attended Atlantic Community Schools graduating with the class of 1965. He was united in marriage to Linda Christensen on December 2, 1967, in the Cumberland Christian Church.

Larry was a farmer most of his life and farmed until the early 2000s. In 2003, he and Linda moved into Atlantic where Larry worked ten years at Mahle’s. He was enlisted in the United States Army National Guard from November 18, 1965, to November 17, 1971. Larry was a past president of the 21st Century Coop Board in Cumberland, a member of the Methodist Church in Cumberland and a member of the Atlantic Elk’s Lodge #445.

Even though Larry enjoyed being a farmer, there were many other interests that brought joy to him. He loved to play cards and had a small card group that gathered regularly. Larry loved to take trips to Kenora, Ontario, Canada, with the Ihnens and Thomsens, as well as traveling north with “the guys” for fishing. He embarked on these Canadian fishing trips at least once a year eventually amassing over 60 fun-filled adventures. When his girls were younger he enjoyed helping them with their 4-H and FFA livestock projects. He liked hanging out, socializing and sometimes eating rocky mountain oyster fries at the Norway Center store and garage. He enjoyed attending tractor pulls with Dean Christensen. And, going to the Iowa State Fair and riding the sky lift was a simple pleasure for him.

Larry is survived by his wife, Linda Shafer of Atlantic; his daughters, Jennifer (Brian) Richter and their children, Hannah Richter, Abbigael Richter and Madeline Richter all of Anita, IA, and Amy (Jon) Lange and their children, Kiefer Lange and Makenna Lange all of Concordia, MO; his sister, Sharon Conner of Weatherford, TX; his brothers-in-law, David and Dale Christensen of Cumberland, IA; his nephew, John Conner of Weatherford, TX; nephews-in-law, Jess Smith and Ken Marks of Texas; his great-nieces, Jenna Conner of Azle, TX, Kari Murphy of San Angelo, TX and Jared Smith of Colorado Springs, CO; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Arlene Shafer; brother-in-law, Ron Conner; nieces, Cheri Smith and Pam Marks; and nephew, Taylor Marks.

Visitation with family will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 2, 2017, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Cremation will take place after the funeral service and interment of cremains will be at a later date.

A funeral luncheon will be held at the United Church of Christ, 1607 Hazel St., Atlantic, Iowa, after the funeral service.