Larry was born the son of Jess “Bus” and Argo (Huber) Menter on March 7, 1936, at his parent’s home on Madison Street in Marshalltown, Iowa. When Larry was 10 years old, he and his family moved to Northome, Minnesota, where he developed his love for the great outdoors, especially fly fishing and hunting. Years later, his family moved back to Marshalltown and Larry attended high school at MHS while working nights at Fisher Controls. In 1953, Larry made the tough decision to leave high school and enlist in the Air Force. This required a signed permission slip from his father because he was under the age of 18. Larry proudly served in the Korean War. He was stationed in Alaska during the war and served as a radar man. After the war ended, he was stationed in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, where he met his first wife, Patsy Ennis. They moved to Iowa and were married in the fall of 1957. From that union four children were born: Lisa, Troy, Errin and Ashley. Because Larry left school to join the service, he made a promise to his father that he would continue his education. Larry completed his GED and attended college at Iowa State University and studied architecture. One of his proudest moments was fulfilling his promise to his dad. Larry and his family moved to Fort Dodge where he worked as an architect until 1969 when his father became ill. He moved his family back to Marshalltown to take over the family business, Area Sanitation. He and Patsy later divorced. On December 31, 1981, Larry was united in marriage to Jane Schelling (Pille). They enjoyed several years traveling, boating, spending long weekends at the family cabin in Northome, MN, and being devoted parents to a very special, well fed, green-eyed, calico cat named Sophie. For years, Larry and Jane enjoyed meeting with a very special group of friends and family for coffee every morning at Burger King. Over the years they became very close and always looked out for each other. In the fall of 2019, Jane passed away unexpectedly.

Larry was a man of many talents. He was a gifted artist, writer, painter, woodworker, house builder and gardener. Like his mother, he was an avid reader and spent much of his retired years writing various novels, short stories and daily journaling. He enjoyed American history and acknowledged every important patriotic date on the calendar. He also loved sports and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Iowa State Cyclones.

In 2013, Larry was proud to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC with fellow veteran Ron Shutt, his cousin and best friend.

Survivors include his daughters, Lisa Williams, of Baxter, IA; Errin (Danny) Bohlke, of Marshalltown, IA; Ashley (Tom) Allen, of Asheville, NC; stepdaughter Jeni (Derek) Ladehoff, of Marshalltown, IA; stepson Jim (Jamie) Schelling, of Arlington, TX. Grandchildren: Sean Williams, Derek and Grant Bohlke, Ryan Menter, Sam Allen, Brady, Kyler (Taylor) and Kynlie Ladehoff, Dustin, Dallas, Dacie, Dominic, Dax and Dani Schelling. Great grandchildren: Luka Ladehoff and Carlee Schelling. Two sisters, Barbara Collins, of Marshalltown, IA, and Sharon (Frank) Rivas, of Plattsmouth, NE.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Menter, son Sanford “Troy” Menter, son-in-law Tim Williams, daughter-in-law Joedy Menter and his parents, Jess and Argo Menter.