A memorial service was held Jan. 8 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson for Larry Dowd, 69, of Jefferson.
Words of comfort were offered by Pastor Allan Redenius of First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge and Pastor J Alexander of Central Christian Church.
Urn bearers were Aaron Dowd and Michael Dowd. Interment will be at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Larry Raymond Dowd passed away January 2, 2021, surrounded by family. He was born to parents Joy and Patsy on December 12, 1951, in Jefferson. Larry graduated from Jefferson High School in 1970 and then attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Larry was known for his love of music. In high school he was a three time All-State Music Festival selection, winning the Lions Club Arion Award in 1970. He also participated in baseball and wrestling. In college Larry was a member of the choir and show choir.
After college Larry returned to Jefferson and held several jobs before accepting a position in 1979 with West Central Cooperative. For over 30 years he worked for them in Jefferson, Scranton and Ralston.
Throughout his life he continued to pursue his love for music. Larry served as choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church for 25 years, United Methodist Church for two years and Central Christian Church for 14 years. Larry was a member of the Greene County Singers and Greene County Community Players, participating in several plays and musicals. He also enjoyed playing and singing Neil Diamond and John Denver songs on his guitar. Larry was well known for singing at weddings and funerals. He participated in the annual Christmas dessert concerts, singing the Hallelujah Chorus with fellow Jefferson alumni and students. He was a member of the Sonshine Singers in Fort Dodge for three years.
In his retirement years, Larry enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and spending time with his grandchildren. You could often see him driving around in his yellow pickup with Hawkeye decals and SONGBOY license plate. He also worked part time for Hy-Vee and Dave Rasmussen.
In 2011 Larry met Laura Helmus, and quickly found they shared several passions including faith, music, golfing and grandchildren. In March of 2013, they were married on St. Patrick’s Day.
Larry is survived by his wife Laura of Jefferson; sons from a previous marriage to Phyllis Boldt, Aaron Dowd (Natalie Ross) of Santa Barbara, CA and Michael Dowd of Jefferson; daughters Kelly (Mike) Potter of Sioux City and Nikki (Richie) Mulbrook of Ankeny; grandchildren Heather Zickefoose, Hannah Harms and Kinnick Mulbrook; father Joy (Beth) Dowd of Jefferson; and mother in-law Elaine Helmus of Jefferson; siblings Rod, Shelly and Michelle; sister in-law “Sis” Lois Strawn; several relatives; and countless friends.
Larry is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Dowd, mother Patsy Stofer, brother-in-law Ronald Strawn, and father-in-law John Helmus.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials directly to the Dowd family; also memorials in Larry’s name may be left at or mailed to Slininger-Schroder Funeral Home, PO Box 108, Jefferson, IA 50129.
