Larry Dean Dezeeuw

Larry Dean DeZeeuw, 75, of Ashville OH (formerly of Nora Springs, IA) passed away May 8, 2024 at Mt Carmel Hospice Grove City, OH. He fought a valiant fight since March 2020 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Larry’s motto was FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT and continued to do that until the very end.

Larry was born 6 week premature at the Hull hospital in Hull, IA the firstborn son of John & Ella (Duistermars) DeZeeuw on April 16, 1949, he was so small (4lbs) they took him home in a shoebox. He attended a 1 room schoolhouse through 4th grade in Sioux Center, IA, then moved into the Boyden Hull school district where he graduated in 1967. He then attended Northwestern College in Orange City IA where he played football all 4 years, and graduated with his Bachelors degree in Education in 1971. At Northwestern he met and married Becky Sikkema on June 19, 1971. They had one daughter, Erica Joy.

His 1st teaching job was in Madrid, IA where he taught junior high and did some coaching from 1972-1974, then he taught 1 year at Remsen Union junior high & also did some coaching. Then they moved to Nora Springs, IA where he taught & coached from 1975-2004 at NSRF. He retired from teaching in 2004, and then subbed for a few years after that for NSRF, St Ansgar & Newman. Larry was meant to be a teacher, especially a junior high teacher, he related well to the junior high kids and he loved every one of them and tried to mentor them to the best of his ability.

Larry was a Christian and had accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, he continued to lead a faith filled life until the very end.

Larry was a very kind & giving individual who would help anyone who asked. He was really a gentle giant (as he was 6’4 1/2”) with the most caring heart. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a FB season ticket holder for over 25 years, he was an avid Chicago Bears & Minnesota Twins fan as well. He loved Harley Davidson Motorcycles and enjoyed riding his HD Cycle with Becky for many years. Larry was also an animal lover and the family had several pets over the years.

Larry & Becky moved to Ohio 11 years ago to be near their daughter & her family. Larry’s granddaughters were his pride and joy, his everything and he would do anything for them.

Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Becky Ashville, OH. His daughter Erica (DeSean) Williams Reynoldsburg OH, his granddaughters Sydney Williams Princeton NJ and Skye Williams West Lafayette IN. He is survived by 2 brothers Jay (Dee) DeZeeuw Lakeside TX and Steve (Elizabeth) DeZeeuw Prairie Village KS. Brothers in law David (Joyce) Sikkema Holland MI, Daniel (Susan) Sikkema Moline IL & Jim Sikkema Ellijay GA. Sisters in law MaryLynn Bogaard Coralville, IA & Martha (David) Harris Peru IL. Many nieces, nephews & friends also survive.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Sister in laws Mary DeZeeuw & Jane DeZeeuw, Brother in law Nolan Bogaard

Larry’s wish was to be cremated and there will be a memorial service in Mason City, IA mid August. More information to follow. In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be given in Larry’s name to the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank in Mason City, IA or the North Iowa Humane Society in Mason City, IA or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network