Larry Dale Powell, age 71, of Indianola passed away peacefully Monday evening, April 29, 2019. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5th at O’Leary Funeral & Cremation Services in Norwalk. A committal service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 6th at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter, IA.
For directions to the visitation and service, on-line condolences, and to order flowers visit www. olearyfunerals.com or call (515) 981-0700. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Larry’s Life Story Larry Dale Powell, the middle child and eldest son of Dale V. and Mary Emma (Schirner) Powell, was born on August 3, 1947 at the Indianola Hospital.
He grew up on various farms east of Indianola that his parents farmed near Pleasantville, Sandyville, and Beech. He attended grade schools in Beech and Pleasantville before transferring and graduating from Indianola High School with the Class of 1966. Following school, he enlisted into the United States Army where he served as a Paratrooper in 5th Special Forces.
He participated in the Vietnam War where he parachuted into battle earning the U.S. Bronze Star, Parachute Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Specialty Marksmanship Badge. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and returned home to Indianola; where he was a member of the Indianola American Legion Post 165. Larry’s mother knew a young lady that she with worked at Hy-Vee by the name of Randi Lynn West; she arranged a date between the two, they fell in love and the following year they were married on Saturday, August 11, 1973 in a quaint Baptist Church in Bethany, Missouri.
Larry worked for Mercy Properties for 31 years as their lead carpenter maintaining clinics throughout central Iowa, retiring in June 2017. Larry and Randi enjoyed spending their vacations in Hawaii. They collected antique cars including a 1923 Ford Bucket T, a 1938 Chevy Sedan, a 1966 Corvette, a 1967 Camaro, and his pride and joy that he completely restored a 1951 Pontiac Woody Wagon.
He also enjoyed collecting antique furniture, advertising signs, medical equipment and country store items. For a short-time Larry and Randi operated Pedal Car Antiques on the Indianola Square. Larry had a love for carpentry and was a talented craftsman.
He loved to make old things new for his children and grandchildren. Larry always had a good time taking his grandchildren fishing; often traveling to Table Rock Lake in Missouri. On Monday evening, April 29, 2019 Larry passed away peacefully with his wife Randi at his side.
He lived 71 years, 8 months, and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Joyce Pezzetti in 1987. Larry is survived by his wife, Randi of Indianola; two children, Keri (Mickey) Gillam of Forsyth, MO and KC (Kim) Powell of Pleasant Hill, IA; five grandchildren, Kylee, Larry, Addison, Ellerson, and Emmerson; a brother Richard (Mike) Powell of Des Moines; and a host of relatives and friends.
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