August 2, 1942 – October 19, 2025
Larry “Rabbit” Wilkening, 83, of Boone, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Westhaven Community in Boone.
Larry was born in Nevada, Iowa, on August 2nd, 1942, the son of Ernest and Mary (Hart) Wilkening. As a youth, Larry lived on a farm West of Maxwell and moved into town with his family in 1952. He worked on a farm for Charles Laughlin in his teen years. This is where he met the farmer’s daughter, Charlene, the love of his life. Larry graduated from Maxwell High School in 1962.
Larry joined the U.S. Army in November of 1963, and served on active duty until December of 1965. During this time Larry was stationed in Germany. He was listed as a “sharp shooter” and had many fond memories of his time serving in the Army. Larry also proudly served for 20 years in The Iowa Army National Guard, retiring in 2002. Patriotism and a love for his country was very important to Larry.
Larry married Charlene Laughlin on November 12, 1966, in Maxwell, and from this union, two beautiful girls were born: Julie and Jenifer. Larry and Char also have a beloved son, Mortezah “Mark” Yazdanpanah, whom they adopted after providing a home for him as an exchange student.
Later in life, after Char’s passing in 2014, Larry was blessed to find another “sweetheart” in Lynn Sinram. Larry was so happy to welcome Lynn’s family and especially her daughter Kori and family into his own.
In earlier years, Larry got a job at the John Deere plant in Ankeny, then attended tech school in Chicago, Illinois, where he and Char resided for a short time. They eventually moved back to central Iowa, living in Ames and then Boone, where Larry continued his career at John Deere. Larry worked hard at John Deere for 30 years and retired on the first day he became eligible.
After retiring from John Deere, he went to work for Busch Bros. and Son Farms. He so enjoyed that time on the farm and the people he got to know and love while working in the fields. Larry was a member of the Boone Moose Lodge #104, for nearly all of his years in Boone. He served as the Governor of the lodge and earned the highest degree possible, the Pilgrim Degree of Merit. Larry was also a Free Mason and a Shriner, belonging to the Mirza Lodge and the Fez-B Club in Ogden. The missions of these organizations were very important to him. He treasured the friendships made through his membership.
Larry’s faith was important to him. He was a member of the Boone First United Methodist Church and was recognized this year on “Heritage Sunday” for 50 years of membership. Larry believed in living life to the fullest and not wasting time worrying. With “Rabbit” what you saw was what you got!
Larry enjoyed country and western music, polka dancing, working on racecars with Scott and friends, watching his grandchildren in all their various activities, camping, playing cards (especially cribbage in his later years), bowling, deer hunting, fishing, taking friends and family for rides on his pontoon, riding and showing off his John Deere-B tractor and his John Deere mowers, time spent in the farm fields, mushroom hunting, smoking his pipe and having a drink of apricot brandy after the end of a long day.
The times that were most special to Larry were times spent with family and friends. He cherished his family above all else and told them how much he loved them often.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother and father; his love of many years, wife Char in 2014; sweetheart, Lynn Sinram in 2023; three brothers, Robert Wilkening, William Wilkening and Ernie Wilkening, Jr.; and his sister, Elaine Cory.
Larry is survived by his twin brother Lanny of Ames; two daughters, Julie Wilber and husband Scott, and Jenifer Thilges and husband Brian, all of Boone; his son, Mortezah “Mark” Yazdanpanah and wife Azar of Minnetonka, MN; five grandchildren, Drew (Morgan) Wilber, Jade (Madison) Willows, and Ashton Thilges, all of Boone, and Parma and Hannah Yazdanpanah of Minnetonka, MN; great-granddaughter, Junia Wilber of Boone. Larry had many numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and family members who were all deeply loved by him.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Boone, 703 Arden Street. Followed by the memorial service on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, with Military honors by the Boone Veterans Council. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family to be used at their discretion.
The family would especially like to thank all of Larry’s “caregivers”, including At Home, Wesley Life Home Care/Hospice, Suncrest Hospice, Dr. Holmes and the BCH staff, the staff at Westhaven Community and the many friends, family and neighbors who offered assistance and support.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone.
schroedermemorialchapel.com