Larry Dowd

Larry Raymond Dowd, 69, of Jefferson, passed away on Jan. 2 surrounded by family.

He was born to parents Joy and Patsy on Dec. 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 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; two sons from a previous marriage to Phyllis Boldt: Aaron Dowd (Natalie Ross), of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Michael Dowd, of Jefferson; two daughters: Kelly (Mike) Potter, of Sioux City, and Nikki (Richie) Mulbrook, of Ankeny; three grandchildren: Heather Zickefoose, Hannah Harms and Kinnick Mulbrook; father Joy (Beth) Dowd, of Jefferson; and mother-in-law Elaine Helmus, of Jefferson; three 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.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson, with words of comfort by Pastor Allan Redenius, of First Covenant Church, Fort Dodge, and the Rev. J Alexander of Central Christian Church.

Urn bearers will be Aaron Dowd and Michael Dowd.

Interment will be in the Jefferson Cemetery.

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-Schroeder Funeral Home, P.O. Box 108, Jefferson, IA 50129.

Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.