Larry Ocenasek

Larry M. Ocenasek, 73, of Fort Dodge passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday December 30, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:30 to 6:00 PM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with a Vigil Prayer service at 5:15 PM.

Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years Carol (Mueller) Ocenasek; children Jill Ocenasek, Webster City, Andy Ocenasek and his wife Kara, and Kari Swisher and her husband Dr. Adam Swisher both of Fort Dodge; his beloved dog and companion Harley. He has 8 grandchildren, Max, Nick, Hallie, and Morgan Hackbarth, and Ethan, Ashlyn, Brooklyn, and Madilyn Swisher; great grandson, Hudson; siblings, Curt (Christine) Ocenasek of Rio Vista, CA, Dianne Panzi (Greg) of Lehigh, Corrinn Dobmeier of Louisville, KY, brother-in-law David Amandus of Fort Dodge; in-laws Jackie (Eldon) Reinhardt of McCordsville, IN, Tim (Donna) Mueller, Sioux Falls, SD, Gail (Mike) Tracey New London, IA, Mary Kay (Pat) Sharkey, Fort Dodge, Julie (Gene) Pannhoff, Fort Dodge, Steve Mueller, Fort Dodge, Mark (Pam) Mueller and Matt (Dawn) Mueller both of Mason City, plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his dad Lawrence J. Ocenasek, mother Berniece Dobmeier, and the father who raised him Pete Dobmeier, sister Raelene Amandus, paternal grandparents John and Josephine Ocenasek, maternal grandparents Carl and Edith Anderson, and his father and mother-in-law, Otto and Ann Mueller, and his fur buddies Jake, Gus, and Abby.

Lawrence Michael Ocenasek was born on November 21, 1951 in Olivia, MN. Larry's journey took a significant turn in his early years when he lost his father in an accident. Afterwords his family relocated to Fort Dodge. His mother later married Pete Dobmeier, who raised Larry and his siblings with love and care.

Larry attended Corpus Christi Catholic School and graduated from St. Edmond High School in 1970. Larry began a successful career in sales ending with 29 years at Humes Distributing where he retired as Sales Manager in 2019. He took immense pride in his work, forming lasting relationships and making everyday count with unwavering integrity, and hard work. On September 16, 1972, Larry married Carol Mueller, and together they built a loving home in Fort Dodge. Family was everything to Larry; he cherished his wife, Carol, and his children, Jill, Andy, Kari, and his grandchildren. He was the kind of dad who never missed a game or event, coaching his children's teams or cheering them on from the stands. Larry created countless memories including memories with his family, during their vacations to Okoboji, one of his favorite spots. One of Larry's most memorable trips was when he and Carol went to New York City, where they attended a Yankee baseball game, visited the 911 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, and strolled through Central Park. Larry was a man full of life and laughter, known for his engaging stories and the kindness he extended to everyone he met. His presence lit up every gathering, and he had this fantastic ability to connect with people, no one ever stayed a stranger for long. Larry was an avid Pittsburg Steelers and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He and Carol attended several Steeler and Hawkeye games in person and when he could not see them live, they watched them on TV. Larry had a passion for smoking and grilling meat. He loved sharing his finished products with family and friends. He definitely was "the grill master." Larry truly loved the time he spent hunting with his son and fishing with his kids and grandkids.

Larry's vibrant spirit will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.