Lawrence E. Laydu

Lawrence "Larry" E. Laydu, 82, of Sioux City passed away on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Alan Wick of First Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Larry was born Nov. 13, 1926, in Sioux City, to Arnold and Lois (Beveridge) Laydu. He graduated from Leeds High School and Morningside College. He served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation radioman 3rd class from Sept. 11, 1944, until Nov. 30, 1946.

He married Shirlee Anderson on Aug. 18, 1950, in Sioux City. Larry was a route salesman for Metz Baking Company for 30 years. He owned and operated a bowling alley in Longville, Minn., for two years. Upon returning to Sioux City, he drove for Bush Cleaners for 10 years, retiring in 1993.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Masonic Temple and Scottish Triangle Lodge 643. In his free time, Larry loved to golf. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed all sports.

Survivors include his wife, Shirlee Laydu; his children, Cindy Laydu-Hill and her husband, Chris Hill of Lenexa, Kan., Julie Arenson and her husband, Barry of Overland, Kan., Ann Michelle Lorenzen of Aurora, Colo., Lauri Laydu of Overland Park, Kan., and Kathy Ziesmer and her husband, Michael of Mansfield, Texas; five grandchildren, Chad and Jay Lorenzen, Elizabeth Laydu-Lehner, Kaitlin and Zach Ziesmer; and four great-grandchildren, Kobe, Jaydon, Adalia and Cecily Lorenzen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a sister.

Memorials may be made in his name to Alzheimer's Association.