Larry L. Shirk, 79, of Lake Mills died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at Lake Mills Care Center.

A gathering to remember Larry will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills. At 6 p.m. a brief time of prayer and sharing will be led by Kermit Singelstad.

Private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 Second St. S.E., Mason City, Iowa, 50401.

Larry Lee Shirk was born Jan. 25, 1935, in Brush Creek, the son of Simon and Helen (Schnoor) Shirk. Larry graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1953. He entered the United States Army in February of 1956. Larry was stationed in Japan for 2 1/2 years and was honorably discharged in February of 1959.

Following his service, Larry worked at G&H Motor Parts in Forest City. In 1963, Larry started working at Deluxe Products where he met the love of his life, Corinne Rippentrop. The couple was married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, Oct. 28, 1966. Larry retired from Fleetguard Industries after 30 years of employment.

Larry enjoyed golfing, reading, taking trips to Las Vegas and Texas, and collecting Snoopy memorabilia.

Larry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Corinne Rippentrop Shirk, of Lake Mills; nephew, Randy (Carol) Shirk; two great-nephews, Mason and Clay Shirk; nephew, Michael Rippentrop; niece, Alyssa (Scott) Koepsel; three sisters-in-law, Sandra Armstrong and her family, Troy (Sue) Armstrong, Barb Hofbauer, Paul (Ann Brighton) Armstrong and Kelly (Justin) Lugar; Marilyn (Richard) Wiltgen and her family, Donna Rojas, Tandy (Don) Snodgress and Carrie Helmers; Linda Minton and her friend, Dennis Brosh; a special goddaughter, Chelsey Armstrong; along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dennis Shirk and Sherwood “Bud” Shirk; brothers-in-law Roger Rippentrop, Robert Armstrong and Henry Minton; sister-in-law, Fern Shirk; and four nephews, Michael, Bradley and Timothy Shirk and Jeffrey Helmers.

The family wishes to thank all who helped support the family by keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.