Lawrence "Larry" William Schoening

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” William Schoening, 84, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at Westwing Place, DeWitt.

He was born January 23, 1935, in Clinton to William “Bill” and Mathilda “Tillie” (Lorenzen) Schoening. Larry attended the Malone schoolhouse and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1953. He continued his education at Wartburg College (Class of ’57) in Waverly, playing football until he purchased farmland outside of Low Moor and began his farming career. He served in the National Guard with his brother, Lewis “Lewie” for 10 years.  Larry married Marjorie “Margie” Lunardi, August 5, 1967, at the Episcopalian Church in Davenport.  The couple farmed and raised their family in rural Low Moor. Margie preceded Larry in death January 22, 2015. 

Larry was a longtime member of Elvira Zion Lutheran Church and the Low Moor Lions Club. He was a Pioneer Seed Corn salesman for many years and also earned multiple county and district corn and soybean yield contest awards over his long farming career. As he retired from farming, and especially after he and Margie moved to DeWitt, Larry was a constant fixture at any and all Central DeWitt sporting events, even following the teams to away games. One of Larry’s proudest moments was being named the “Fan of the Tournament” at the 2014 Iowa Boys State Basketball Tournament, when Central DeWitt became the champions. He has been a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan all his life, followed the Chicago Cubs, and kept up on various Wartburg College Knights athletic teams. Larry loved all animals and had a true soft spot for dogs, owning many throughout his lifetime. He was a man of strong faith, quietly, but diligently praying for those that he loved.

Surviving are children, Mark (Linda) Schoening of DeWitt, Marty Schoening of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Lance (Christine) Schoening of Runnells and Libby (Duff) Ridgeway of Center Point; grandchildren, Mitch Schoening, Harry Schoening, Kayla Ridgeway, Drake Ridgeway and Micaela Schoening; a sister, Janet (Ed) Schoening Wachs of Moline, Illinois: sister-in-law, Elaine Schoening of DeWitt, and brother-in-law, Bob Lunardi of Bettendorf.

In addition to his wife, Margie, Larry was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael; grandchildren, Drew Schoening and Dena Schoening and a brother, Lewie.

The family will receive friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt from 2:00 until 4:45 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2020.  A service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home with the Rev. Daniel Pell officiating.  Military rites will follow at the funeral home.   Memorials are suggested in Larry’s name to the Central DeWitt Athletic Department.

Condolences may be expressed, and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com. 

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