Larry J. Voves, 77, of Cresco, Iowa died on Friday, December 21, 2018, at home surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Burial will be at a later date.
Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the church on Friday. The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting his family. Larry was born November 26, 1941 in Elma, Iowa to Joe and Clara (Pechota).
He joined two older brothers, Vel and Bob. Larry attended school at Howard County Country School #10, Elma Immaculate Conception Grade School, and Notre Dame High School in Cresco. On June 11, 1960, Larry was united in marriage to Colleen Minnick at Assumption Church in Cresco, Iowa, officiated by Father Phillip Schmitt.
Larry and Colleen were blessed with five daughters, Cathleen, Joe-Dene, Maureen, Mary, and Carrie. Larry’s true calling and passion was heavy construction. He operated heavy equipment for Louie Lentz of Alta Vista, Iowa and Harold Riehm Construction of New Albin, Iowa.
In 1980, Larry went to work for Howard County as a heavy machine operator and retired from there 25 years later. He also owned and operated Voves Construction in his spare time. Larry was proficient at working on machinery and re-doing cars and trucks.
He enjoyed working with stained glass and for many years he made a glass Christmas ornament for every family member. On one occasion, he designed and built a miniature replica Civil War cannon for each of his sons-in-law and all his grandchildren. He was also in the process of building a life size replica of a Civil War cannon.
Larry was always busy with projects in his work shop. He also enjoyed many card games in his shop with friends. Larry loved his family and especially his grandkids.
He made carts, old mowers, mopeds, go- carts, and golf carts; anything the grandkids could ride or drive. He gave them rides in his Cushman, Caterpillar, semi truck and flatbed, John Deere tractor and even in the bucket of the backhoe, ever so slowly around and around. For many years Larry and Colleen traveled to their cabin in Northern Minnesota where they enjoyed friends, family, the lakes and all the delights of the great outdoors.
Always wanting to see bears but never knowing exactly what he would do if he ran into one. Larry is survived by his wife Colleen. Five daughters: Cathleen (Randy) Grimm of Farmington, MN, Joe-Dene (Jeff) Mullen of Pleasant Hill, IA , Maureen (Kendall) Curtis of Kendallville, IA, Mary (Paul) Pepera of Tamarack, MN and Carrie (Tony) Hovey of Dakota, MN.
Eleven grandchildren: Elysia (Jason) Grimm Maras, Nathan (Genci) Grimm, Jacob (Jessica) Grimm, Andrew Mullen, Rachel (Jarred) Curtis Templeton, Rory (KB) Curtis, Mariah (Seth) Pepera Koivisto, David Pepera, Ethan (Teresa) Pepera, Chaise Hovey and Maizie Hovey. Great Grandchildren: Austyn, Cooper, Logan and Grady Maras; Gage Grimm; Logan and Mason Grimm; Bryson Koivisto; Brantley and Brayden Pepera; Isiah and Emma Pepera. Two brothers: Vel and Maxine Voves and Bob (Bernie) Voves.
Sisters-in-law: Dianne (Mike) Minnick and Marty (E. Pat) Minnick. Preceding Larry in death were his parents Joe and Clara Voves, father-in-law Percy Minnick, mother-in-law Dolores Minnick, brothers-in-law Mike, E. Patrick and Kevin Minnick and niece Sandra Voves Sletten.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Hospice of Howard County.
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