Jack H. Larimer

Jack H. Larimer, 79, of Grinnell, formerly of Newton, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A memorial gathering will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A private family interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Poweshiek County Chapter or to JDRF and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Jack was born Sept. 26, 1937, in Russell, to Harry and Helen Mote Larimer. In 1941, the family moved to Newton, where his parents owned and operated the Little Gem Café. Jack attended public schools in Newton, and graduated with the Class of 1956 from Newton High School. He enjoyed all sports and participated in many, but his favorite was football. Jack felt privileged to be a part of Newton’s football heritage.

In 1957, he was married to Colleen Caylor, a high school classmate, in Davenport. Jack and Colleen were the parents of two daughters, Terri and Sherri. The couple lived in Newton and he worked for the Vernon Company. The family moved to California and he worked at a General Motors factory and took marketing classes at San Jose City College. The family returned to Iowa and he worked for Royal Typewriter Company, and later for the Maytag Company in Newton.

In 1967, he was married to Donna Barrenwald Reed and to this union was born one daughter, Stacy. He also became the father of Donna’s daughter, Gina. He stayed busy raising his family and participating in activities at the YMCA in Newton.

Jack was united in marriage to Peggy Templeton in Grinnell. The couple lived in Grinnell, and he was active in the First Friends Church as an usher, drama team member and a Sunday school teacher.

On Sept. 1, 2001, he was united in marriage to Joan Therrien. Jack and Joan made their home in Grinnell, and he enjoyed authoring and publishing two books, Tulips and The Pretender Lamb. He had a passion for restoring vintage cars and playing golf and cards at the Grinnell Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Larimer of Grinnell; three daughters, Teresa Degner and Sherri Larimer, both of Des Moines, and Stacy Hesse of Newton; his stepchildren, Jeff (Shay) Therrien of Des Moines, Stacey (Blair) Williams of Kansas City, Mo., and Gina Reed of Newton; and his sister, Virginia Larimer of Newton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Harold Talbot; and one stepdaughter, Stephanie Therrien.