Larry Charles Hetzler died Dec. 12, 2023, at Lutheran Living in Muscatine, Iowa. He had been a resident of Pearl City Place (formerly Bickford Homes) Muscatine these past eighteen months.
Larry was born March 10, 1943, to Mary Grace Martin and Albert Eugene Hetzler in Muscatine, Iowa. Larry graduated from West Liberty High School in 1961. He later attended Iowa State University, earning a degree in 1967. He then taught Vocational Agriculture at Postville High School in Postville, Iowa, and later took the position of Vocational Agriculture instructor at Muscatine High School.
While at Muscatine High School, he met Beth Ann Terwilleger, who was teaching English one floor above the Vo-Ag classroom. They married August 16, 1975, and were married until Beth’s passing on March 11, 2011.
Mr. Hetzler had a multi-faceted working life, from mechanic following high school, through teaching, active farming, 30-year realtor, to construction management with Todd Hackett Construction.
His numerous volunteer involvements in the area and state of Iowa were varied. For many years, Larry was a purebred Hampshire hog breeder and was active in Muscatine County Pork Producers (President, 2 years), Muscatine County Fair Board, Muscatine County Board of Review, Muscatine County and Iowa Republican Party committees, Muscatine Board of Realtors (President, 2 years), Iowa Board of Realtors (1994 Associate Vice President), Muscatine Symphony Board, Muscatine County Arts Council (Secretary/Treasurer), and Farm Bureau Board.
Larry was a Rotarian, earning the honor of Paul Harris Fellow +2. He served as an elder at Cedar Valley United Methodist Church, where he was recognized as a 50+ Year Member.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Beth Ann; his parents, Albert and Mary Grace; and his brother-in-law, Dennis Wachs.
He is survived by his sister, Janice Wachs and her daughter, Jodi (Bill) Simon and their children, Jay (Casey) Simon, Justin (Lisa) Simon, Bret (Briana) Simon, Hayley (Oscar) Martinez; and her son Mitch Wachs (Jill Townsley and children Kyndal, Keetyn, and Kaelyn); and an Aunt Marion Hetzler. Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob (Carol) Terwilleger; Sam (Julia) Terwilleger and their sons, Nathan, Aaron, Isaac and Zachary; Jim (Lois) Terwilleger and their children, Karl and Susan; and Sarah (Oliver) Soularue and their children, Glen and Maelig; and many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation took place Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser Street, Muscatine, Iowa.
The funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Cedar Valley United Methodist Church, 1791 155th Street, West Liberty, Iowa.
Interment of the body, next to Beth, was Monday, Dec. 18 at the Blue Springs Cemetery, Blue Springs, Nebraska, with Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice, Nebraska in charge of burial.