Laurence Vincent Reynolds

Salix, Iowa - Laurence Vincent Reynolds, 92, of Salix died peacefully on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at his farm.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, with the Rev. Patrick O’ Kane officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery at Salix. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Laurence was born Feb. 17, 1921, in Salix, the youngest of seven children born to John S. and Nora (Ryan) Reynolds. He was raised on the family farm north of Salix. During the early days of World War II, Larry showed up at the local Army recruiting office to enlist, like countless other young men. When Larry’s parents found out, they petitioned the military to release Larry from serving. As the youngest son in a farming family with three older brothers already in military service, Larry’s presence at home was crucial in keeping the family farm running. His parents’ petition was granted, and to young Larry’s dismay, he was forced to serve his country from the seat of a tractor in Salix.
On Feb. 6, 1945, he married Peggy Frank in Jackson, Neb. They farmed in the Salix and Luton areas in the early years. In 1957, a huge hail storm destroyed his entire crop, and Larry and Peggy moved their growing family of six to Sioux City. He continued to farm full-time while working as a yardman at the Sioux City Stockyards, a rural mail carrier, and a barge man on the Missouri River. He was never afraid of hard work, and provided for his family by engaging in it every working day of his life.
After the death of his wife, Peggy in October 2005, Larry moved back to Salix, his family’s farm since 1871. His love of the family farm was evident in his efforts to regain family land that had been divided and sold throughout the years. He continually refused offers to sell from developers and corporate farming entities and fought encroachment as best he could. His wish was to stay in his own home on his own land, and he accomplished that with the love and devotion of his children and grandchildren.
His gruff exterior belied a tender heart, a sense of fun and a clever wit which was hard to top. His family, friends and neighbor kids from several generations will treasure fond memories of sleigh rides behind an old red truck or tractor, depending on the location. He was known for his frugal nature, his excellent memory for names and events and his love of big band music. Larry’s handshake was his bond, and his backhand was a bat’s worst nightmare.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, and a former member of the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.
He is survived by his nine children and their spouses, Laurie and Don Helmer of Sun City, Ariz., Debbie and Tom Flynn of Enterprise, Ala., Peggy (P.J.) and Jim Hall of Omaha, Sidonie Reynolds of Dallas, Texas, Mary Kaye (Katie) Reynolds of Sioux City, Nora Lerer of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jackie and Steve Hoebelheinrich of Mesa, Ariz., Lisa Mark and Steve Uhl of Sioux City, and Laurence J. Reynolds of Santa Monica, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Ilene Hoelker Reynolds and Mary Frank Hirsch; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; an infant daughter, Mary Margaret; two sons-in-law, Harvey L. Lerer and Thomas S. Mark; his parents; three brothers, John, William and James; and three sisters, Evelyn Fryrear, Eleanor Hunting and Margaret Harrington.