Larry Mcgrew

Larry McGrew, age 78, of Marshalltown, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022 at the MercyOne in Des Moines.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1 at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with full military honors presented by the combined VFW and American Legion Honor Guard in the Marshalltown area. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until that time at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. 641-844-1234.

Born on September 28, 1943 in Marshalltown, he was the son of Elgin and Arlene (Devick) McGrew. He grew up on a farm southwest of Gilman and graduated from the Gilman High School’s Class of 1963.

On April 2, 1966 he was united in marriage to Barbara Birchard at the Baptist Temple in Marshalltown. They made their home in California while he was serving in the United States Army, returned to a farm near Gilman for five years and then to Marshalltown where he was employed for 37 faithful years at Bruin Manufacturing.

His day started with coffee and his friends at Wareco, Cecil’s, Doo-Dahs and most recently Hy-Vee. All the problems of the world were solved in these locations. He was a proud US veteran who served our country stationed stateside and Korea. He enjoyed his Ertl tractor collection, big tractors, traveling (over 30 states), hunting, helping his daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and kids in general. The McGrew house had four residents- but most times there could be 10 for dinner with all the “adopted” kids coming over. It didn’t matter. Barb made it all stretch. He and Barb with friends would often have meals in two states- go to one place for dinner but the next state over because they heard the pie was really good at such-and-such restaurant. Simply time together was precious. Probably his most recognizable attribute was his teasing and sense of humor along with a contagious smile.

Left to cherish his memory is Barbara, his loving wife of 56 years, daughter Jennifer of Marshalltown, his son Kevin all of Marshalltown, his fur-babies Iris and Violet and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In death, Larry rejoined his parents, and brothers Roger and Darrell.