Larry Owen Harwood
July 28, 1932 - February 8, 2015
Obituary
Larry Owen Harwood returned home to his Heavenly Father on February 8, 2015 after a short battle with leukemia. He was born in a little farm house six miles north of Maddock, ND, the youngest of six children born to Dallas and Harriet Harwood. The family moved to Shevlin, MN in 1948. On the bus ride to school, he met his high school sweetheart, Helen Blomdahl, who eventually became his wife. They lived in Bagley, MN until 1961 when they moved to Federal Way, WA. Larry and Helen were blessed with four children and 63 happy years of marriage.
God blessed Larry with a natural gift for woodworking, building, repairing, and crafting. He also enjoyed entertaining friends and family by singing along with his ukulele to classic country-western and gospel songs. He was a very hard worker and his many job titles included: farmer, bus driver, lumberjack, mink farmer, and manager of Camp Lutherland. He owned two businesses over the course of his life, The Mop Artists (Janitorial Service) and The Fixit Shoppe (Small Motor Repair shop).
Larry and Helen have been active members of Mountain View Lutheran Church since 1966. Larry loyally served in many capacities. He founded the “Honey Doers” over twenty years ago, a group of volunteer handymen that support the church ministries. Larry loved his church family dearly. He is a self professed “sinner saved by grace”, and his faith in Jesus Christ has been unwavering through many trials, including a twelve year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, one brother (Harold), and his beloved daughter, Renae Helen. Renae died at the age of 21 months and has been mourned over the many years. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen, three children: Jeffrey (wife Doris), Mark, and Barbara (husband David), nine grandchildren: Sonja, Melissa, Holly, Dallas, Cole, Trevor, Alex, Nicole and Christopher, and seven great grandchildren. He also leaves behind four remaining siblings: Eugene, Neil, Earl, and Ellen, and their families.
Memorial services will be held at Mountain View Lutheran Church, Edgewood, WA on February 15, 2015 at 3pm. Inurnment will be at the Bagley Cemetery, Bagley, MN.
In lieu of flowers, Larry requests donations to the Mission Endowment Fund of Mountain View Lutheran Church or the Edgewood Community Food Bank.
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS HELEN AND FAMILY.. LARRY WAS A WONDERFUL MAN…WILL MISS SEEING HIM AND CUTTING HIS HAIR FOR HIM.. GOD BLESS,, BEV WARD
Sonja and family, so sorry for your loss, he sounds like a wonderful Grandfather
Love and Peace to you all. Know that you are all in my prayers.
So many of us stumble through this life never having met someone that has such a positive influence on us. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I’m so grateful that you’ve had such a bright a shining light in your life. To all of you who feel this loss my heart goes out to you. My prayers as well.
Uncle Larry you were a loved man. Your unique laugh and ready smile will always be remembered. Your loving and kind spirit will be cherished in our memories. Sing forever in the heavenly choir. Lovingly, Fay
Aunt Helen, Jeff, Mark, Barb and family… You are in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle Larry was a sweet man and loved his sense of humor. Love to you all.
Dear Helen and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing, but rejoice with you that he is free from the Parkinson’s and leukemia and is healed and whole again. Mom and Dad were no doubt there to welcome him and greet a dear friend! My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Helen and family,
We continue to grieve and celebrate with you the life of such a kind,caring, considerate, gentle man with such a wonderful sense of humor. The warmth of his presence was felt wherever he was. Our continued love and prayers,
Paul & Joanne
I was so sad to hear this news. Even though many years have passed the memories of how wonderful Larry was will never leave my mind. I have such fond memories of you all. It is with a heavy heart I think of how hard this must be for you all. My deepest sympathy Hellen, Jeff, Mark, Barbie and to the rest of the family.
Our hearts are heavy with our sadness at the loss of this dear, dear friend. Larry was such an encourager to both of us as he and Bill fought Parkinson’s together. His smile could light up a room and he was always ready to help..no matter what was needed. We are thankful for the mercies of our Lord and His promise that we will meet again. Our prayers are with Helen and the family.
So sorry to read about Larry’s passing. How comforting to know he is safe in the arms of Jesus.
I am sorry of the passing of Larry. Our thoughts and prayers to the families. I remember both Larry and Helen when we lived in Minnesota. Our deepest sympathy to Helen and families.