Larry Gene Palmer, 78, of Bloomfield, formerly of Ottumwa, died at 3:18 a.m. May 6, 2025 at Bloomfield Care Center.
He was born September 1, 1946 in Ottumwa to William Aubrey and Virginia Rose Snook Palmer. He married Carol Ann Pottorf May 23, 2003 and they had known each other for over 73 years.
After graduating from Ottumwa High School in 1965, Larry served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War before serving in the Iowa Army National Guard. After the service, Larry worked at Ace Hardware and for Burlington Northern Railroad from 1977 to 1984. He then worked for various construction companies as well as AYM, retiring in 2005.
Larry was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #114, American Legion Post #136 and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Larry never met a stranger. He was very compassionate and had a heart of gold. He enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley and was quite a collector of Elvis memorabilia. Larry especially loved his grandchildren.
Surviving is his wife, Carol; his children, Kim (Randy) Williams of Moravia and Larry A. (Aimee) Palmer of Tempe, AZ; 6 step-children, Kelly (Mike) Griffiths of Ottumwa, Chad (Amy) Kurka of Alburquerque, NM, Tammy (Dan) Eastlick of Ottumwa, Tina Eastlick of Blakesburg, Kimberly Faneuf of Rhode Island and Melissa; 3 grandchildren, Allison Van Donselaar, Samantha Davidson and Clayton Williams; 3 great-grandchildren, Braelynn, Lila and Wyatt; and several step-grandchildren including, Emily Orth, Erik Eklofe, Trey Kurka, Cayden Kurka, Audrey Martinez and Jacob Eastlick.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William Palmer.
His body has been cremated. Graveside services and inurnment will be 1 p.m. Friday, May 9th at Shaul Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
