Lawrence “Larry” John Gute, age 85, of Carroll, IA, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Regency Park in Carroll surrounded by his family.

     Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll with Fr. Patrick Behm as Celebrant.  Lectors for the Mass will be Dillon Rupiper, Jordan Seidl, and Justin Seidl.  Music for the Mass will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke.  Casket bearers will be Larry’s grandsons: Cory Gute, Dillon Rupiper, Chase Rupiper, Miles Rupiper, Justin Seidl, Noah Seidl, Trevor Hulsing, Kody Gute, and Kameron Gute. Honorary casket bearers will be his granddaughters: Jennifer Reicks, Cassie Kathol, Chelsea Klocke, Jordan Seidl, Nicole Seidl, and Taylor Hulsing.  Gift bearers will be Chelsea Klocke, Lennox Ward, Nicole Seidl, and Taylor Hulsing.   Eucharistic ministers will be Lori Seidl and Steve Seidl.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors by the Carroll American Legion.

     Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday.  The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday where visitation without greeting the family will resume until 10:15 A.M.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

     Larry was born on June 28, 1936 in Carroll, IA.  He was the son of Lawrence John Sr. and Mary Margaret (Brincks) Gute.  He grew up on his family’s farm south of Carroll and attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School as a boy.  Larry enlisted in the United States Army following his schooling and served two years 1955 – 1957 stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.  He was a paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne, 505^th Infantry Regiment.  He completed nineteen jumps attaining the rank of Corporal.  Upon his honorable discharge, he worked in Des Moines for Northwestern Bell repairing telephone and gas lines.  He returned to Carroll and began working with Louie Olberding trimming trees and started Gute Tree Service in April of 1959 with a pickup and a chain saw.  The business grew into a large operation which is currently operated by his three sons.  Larry was united in marriage to Dorene C. Balk on May 9, 1959 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton by Fr. Harpenaue.

     Larry was a member of Holy Spirit Parish. He was a member of Toast Masters, the Carroll Moose Lodge, the NRA, and several Arborist, wildlife, nature and farm organizations.  He was curious and always seeking an adventure which led him to travel with friends and family to many states, islands and countries over the years. In his later years, Larry enjoyed lounging in his living room recliner, listening to polka music, looking out the window into his personal park, his front yard, and watching birds and squirrels in the many trees.  The front yard is where family and friends often gathered for no particular reason.  When family stopped to visit, they were often greeted with, “Hi Kid, What’s New” and when leaving it was “Take Care, Have Fun”.  His timber, near Churdan, was also a great joy to Larry and Dorene, often gathering with friends and his entire family.  He took much pride in watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up throughout the years.    

     Larry is survived by his children: Dan (MaryAnn) of Guthrie Center, Doug (Shelly) of Carroll, Deb Klocke (and friend Brad Knudson) of Mt. Carmel, Pam Rupiper (Doug) of Carroll, Brenda Seidl (Tim) of Dedham, Kris Hulsing (Kevin) of West Des Moines, and Don (Tami) of Carroll, his friend and companion, Mary Ann Brincks of Carroll; fifteen grandchildren: six great-grandchildren; brothers: Alvin Gute of Carroll, Vernon Gute (Linda) of Modale, Dennis Gute (Ann) of Carroll, and Eugene Gute of Afton; sisters: Lucille Sandquist of Carroll, Marilyn Schramm of Papillion, Ne, Juanita Bruno (Joe) of Marseilles, IL, and Arlene Brooks of Haines, Alaska; brothers-in-law: Gary Balk of Manning, Dale Sloth of Audubon, Melvin Brincks of Roselle, and sister-in-law Judy Balk of Templeton; and several nieces and nephews.

     Larry was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Mary Gute; his father and mother-in-law Clem and Florence Balk, his wife Dorene in 2012; his brothers-in-law: George Schramm, Charles Sandquist, LaVerne Balk, Terry (Nancy) Balk, LeRoy Balk, Ray Balk; and sisters-in-law: Thelma (Harry) Grimsman, Louise Sloth and Marlene Brincks.