Larry Eugene Landegent

Rock Valley, IA: Larry Eugene Landegent, 75, of Rock Valley, passed away on August 31, 2026, at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley. He lived a life centered around his family, his faith, his work, and the many people he loved along the way. Visitation with the family present will be held Thursday, September 3, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Rock Valley First Reformed Church. A prayer service will be held Friday, September 4, at 9:00 AM at First Reformed Church and burial with military rites will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM at First Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.rvfrc.org/.

   Memorial donations my be directed to the Alpha Center ( https://alphacenter.org/).

   Larry Eugene Landegent was born August 23, 1951, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to Hubert and Wilhelmina (Van Maanen) Landegent. Larry grew up on a farm outside of Rock Valley, Iowa. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam from 1970 to 1973. After returning home, he began working at Van Maanen’s Radio Shack, where he learned the appliance repair trade that would become his lifelong career. It was through that work that Larry met Marcia De Kam, when he made a service call to her home. On July 26, 1974, they were united in marriage. Together they made their home east of Rock Valley, right down the road from his childhood home. Here they raised their four children.

   In 1985, Larry and Marcia started Landegent’s Appliance Service. What began as a family business became a lifelong legacy, eventually bringing their children and son-in-law into the business as well. Larry took great pride in his work, but even more pride in the family they built.

   Larry was a man who loved people. Outgoing, social, and always ready for a conversation, he had a way of making people feel welcome. He was a devoted husband, dad, and “Poppy” to his 11 grandchildren and great-grandson. He loved his family deeply and was always willing to share a story, offer advice, or simply spend time together. His grandchildren could always count on a bowl of ice cream at Poppy and MeMe's house, one of the many simple ways he showed them how much they were loved.

   His faith and his service to the community were also important parts of his life. He was an active member of his church, serving in elder and deacon roles over the years, as well as teaching Sunday School for many years. Larry also drove a school bus for Rock Valley Community School for more than 35 years.

   Larry will be remembered for his quick wit, stories, willingness to help, and most of all, the way he made people feel loved and valued. His family will miss the long conversations, the laughter, the jokes, the advice, and the countless ordinary moments that became special simply because Larry was there.

   His legacy will live on through his family, the business he helped build, and the many lives he touched throughout his years. More than anything, he will be remembered simply for being Larry, someone who showed up, made people laugh, shared what he knew, and made the people around him feel seen.

   Larry is survived by his wife, Marcia; four children and their spouses, Troy (Nicole) Landegent, Traci Landegent, Tim (Julie) Landegent, and Tari (Tom) Nesseth; 11 grandchildren, Madi (Reid), Tillie, Maverik, Mya, Lena, Tessa, Cora, Zoey, Abel, Kona, and Jack; great-grandson, Ellis; and siblings, Ron (Peg) Landegent, Dean (Marilyn) Landegent, Nancy (Bob) Smith, and Betty Fredrikson.

   Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Wilhelmina Landegent; and parents-in-law, Samuel and Magdalena De Kam.