Larry S. Kockler, 76, of Mason City, passed away at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center on Monday, August 30, 2021 following difficulties with lung disease.
A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30am Friday September 3, 2021 at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th St SE, Mason City. Burial will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery, Bancroft.
Larry’s family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to Mass beginning at the St. Joseph Chapel on Friday.
Epiphany Parish asks all to wear face masks at church.
Larry was born in Swea City, IA in 1945 to Sylvester and Alice (Doocy) Kockler. He graduated from and played football at Swea City High School in 1964. Larry was married to Linda Goeke in 1966 and moved to Mason City, to this union two children were born: Lisa and Laura. Larry worked in road – asphalt, construction, auto body and auto mechanic areas. Larry and his brother, Thomas, each drove stock cars at the North Iowa racetrack for a period in the 70’s where many friends and family cheered from the stands.
His interest included self-taught leather crafts, woodworking, cooking, and barbeque – especially at the campground with family, gathering with family for get togethers and holidays, watching NASCAR, and NFL.
His priorities were always protecting and spending time with his granddaughters, Kaylyn and Jenna. He enjoyed taking them to the Manly Library in their early years as well as watching and supporting them through their teenage struggles and accomplishments. He was incredibly proud of both of them. Kaylyn and Jenna agree that “Papa” was their source of reassurance that someone was proud of them, offered a laugh, and extraordinary amount of advice that always ended with “you’ll always do the right thing,” work hard but play harder and tell everyone you love and appreciate them. “Our Papa was the most compassionate, approachable, and wild hearted Papa ever.”
Larry is survived by his brother, Richard Kockler; sister, Mary Kay Kockler; daughters, Lisa Severson and granddaughters, Kaylyn (fiancé, Cole Fenton) and Jenna Severson, and Laura Giese and granddaughters, Alicia, Kiah, and Kelby; nephews, Jeff and Sonya Kockler and his children, Kiley, Hailey, Jaxon, and Jayden; Jamie and Sharon Kockler; and Dr. Tim and Kristina Kockler and their children, Caitlyn, Chloe, and Cole.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Alice Kockler; infant brother, Jimmy Kockler; brother, Thomas Kockler; nephew, Nicholas Kockler.
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