Larry Don Sobek Obituary – The Des Moines Register

Larry Don Sobek, 75, of Urbandale, passed away on February 16, 2023 following a short battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Resthaven Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. Larry was born on August 3, 1947 in Belmond, IA, where he grew up and graduated from Kanawha High School. After high school, Larry moved to Kansas City to seek work outside of farm life. He started as a data processor for Pyramid Insurance Company. While in Kansas City, he met the love of his life, Della Jesse, and the two were married on July 2, 1967. It was also in Kansas City where Larry began his lifelong love of Kansas City Chiefs football. In 1975, Larry, Della, and their two children, Mark and Susan, moved to West Bend, IA, and Larry worked for West Bend Elevator Company. After a short stay, Larry moved the family to Creston, IA and worked for Fansteel/Wellman Dynamics, starting as a data processor and ending as Foundry Manager over a 20-year career. Larry and Della moved to Corona, CA in 1998 and spent 4 years there while he worked for Magnesium Alloy Products Company in Compton, CA. In 2002, Larry and Della returned to Iowa to reside in Urbandale to be closer to family while Larry worked for Simco Drilling Equipment Co. in Osceola, IA. He retired in December 2015 following the death of his older brother, Ron. Larry was a devoted family man. He would often spend his commute times checking in with extended family members and making sure there wasn’t anything someone needed. His immediate family expanded when his son, Mark married Natalie Ritter in 1993. From that point, there were very few times when the two families didn’t spend special occasions together. He enjoyed watching Iowa State sports (most of the time) and the aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs. As long as they weren’t playing the Cyclones, he would also cheer on the Hawkeyes. He is survived by his wife Della, son Mark and daughter-in-law Natalie, daughter Susan all of Urbandale, IA, granddaughters Quinnlyn and Olivia, and brother Ricky and wife Gloria of Kanawha, IA. From Larry’s expanded family, “daughters” Elise Ritter-Mafuta of Coralville, IA, Beth Ritter-Ruback and husband Chad Ruback of Palatine, IL, and “granddaughters” Rachel and Samantha. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lavonne Sobek of Kanawha, IA, and brother Ronald of Osceola, IA. Larry will be greatly missed by those who loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the American Cancer Society.