Rev. Larry D. Troxel Obituary

The Reverend Larry D. Troxel, aged 80 years, of Waukee, Iowa, died Friday, November 15, 2024, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.

Larry was born August 20, 1944, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Don and Mary (McQuown) Troxel. He was the oldest of three siblings. He married Donna M. Behrens, on Sunday, August 20, 1972, in Shepherd of The Valley Lutheran Church, West Des Moines, Iowa. She survives.

Larry was baptized on April 15, 1945, after his father returned from Naval service in World War II. His faith was confirmed in the Lord at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington, on March 30, 1958. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1962. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University, in 1966. He continued his education by earning his Master of Divinity, from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, in 1970. He was Ordained on August 23, 1970, at his childhood church of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Illinois.

Larry served many churches throughout his more than 50 years of pastoral ministry. He received his first call to Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was installed as Assistant Pastor there on August 30, 1970. While serving this congregation he met the love of his life, Donna M. Behrens, and they were married. Their eldest daughter Suzanne was born on December 7, 1973. From there, Larry and family took a call to Zion Lutheran Church, in Painesville, Ohio. Larry served the congregation from August of 1974 until October of 1976. On November 22, 1975, their second daughter, Heather, was born. Larry and family then took another call to Trinity Lutheran Church, in Creston, Iowa in October 1976. Larry was installed in late October, and this was his first parish as a sole pastor. While serving there, Christopher was born on July 21, 1979. Larry and family then took a call, in November 1982, to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Quincy, Illinois where he was installed as pastor on November 28, 1982. On August 31, 1985, Marc was born to Larry and Donna. He served that congregation until his retirement from active ministry, in August 2009. While in retirement, he was called to continue the preaching and teaching of God’s Word on a regular basis. So, he began serving Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, in Bowen, Illinois from March 2011 until May 27, 2018. Larry, Donna and Suzanne then moved back to Iowa, in early June 2018.

While Larry was actively serving congregations as both Assistant Pastor and sole Pastor, he also held various roles and positions within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. From 1980-1982, Larry served on the Board of Directors for Green Valley Hospice, in Creston, Iowa. He and his wife Donna helped to establish the first hospice care in the Creston area during that time. When Larry was serving in Quincy, he likewise held various extra-pastoral positions. He served on the Lutheran Church and Family Services Board of Directors from 1984-1985; he served as Circuit Counselor/Visitor within the Quincy Circuit from 1993-1997; he served as Quincy Zone LWML Counselor from 1998-2000's; he also served as the Central Illinois District Counselor for LWML from 2006-2010, and was up for consideration as one of the National Counselor's in 2015; he also served on the Host Committee for the LWML National Convention in Peoria, Illinois from 2009-2011.

Larry had a deep love for the Word of God, for learning and deepening his knowledge in it as well as sharing that knowledge and passion with those he served. In both his active ministry and retirement, he spent countless hours pouring over the original Greek and Hebrew texts of the Word, so he was as well prepared as possible for his preaching and teaching. In his retirement in Iowa, he spent countless Sundays since 2018 preaching and teaching, allowing his fellow pastors to take much deserved time off. He served congregations in Dexter, Casey, Creston, Greenfield, the Des Moines Metro Area, and even received a phone call for help from the Twin Cities! His love for the Word and his love for his family will be his lasting legacy.

Larry is survived by his wife Donna, children: Suzanne of West Des Moines, IA; Heather (Trevor, Blake and Brayden) Feinstein of suburban Atlanta, GA; Christopher (Lisa, Julia, Ava, Matthias) Troxel of Livonia, MI; Marc (Brittany) Troxel of Irvine, CA. Larry is also survived by a brother Terrie and his wife Diana, of Wheaton, IL; a sister Jan of Hudson, IL and many nieces and nephews and friends who are in fact family.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Mary Troxel, his In-laws Glen and Fern Behrens, as well as his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Visitation will be: 4-7 pm Monday, November 25, 2024, at Iles Funeral Home (Westover Chapel), 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 10:00 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, Johnston, IA, with Rev. James Stogdill officiating.

The burial will be Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church/LACC, Lutheran Church Mission Central, in Saint Louis, MO; Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, MO or Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; LC-MS radio station KFUO in Saint Louis, MO; or Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis, MO.

Iles Funeral Home (Westover Chapel) are in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Troxel’s services will be livestreamed on his obituary page beginning approximately 15 minutes prior to services.

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