Lawrence W. "Larry" Bales

Lawrence William "Larry" Bales, 88 of South Sioux City, Nebraska died peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City with prayers being lead by Vada Sisemore. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa with Military Honors offered by the United States Army Reserve. Visitation, with family present, will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, prior to the service. 

Larry was born on February 3, 1937. Son to Viola and Edward Bales. Married to Ruth Elaine Bales and father to 6 children.

Larry is preceded in death by parents (Viola and Edward Bales); brother (James Bales); daughter Susan Meyer; daughter Debra Petronas; and daughter Marie Meyer. 

Surviving Family includes wife Ruth Bales; Daughter, Joyce Young (husband James R. Young); Daniel (Dan) Meyer; Jacqueline (Jackie) Bales (finance Steve Jacobson); 9 grandchildren: Chris Mayer (wife Tricia); Melonie Barnes (husband Cory); Shannon Meyer; Janelle Lutsch-Young (husband Jason); James L. Young (wife Leigh Anne); Ashley Schultz; Zach Bales (wife Ashley); Derrik Jasper; Ryan Cline; and, 12 great-grandchildren.

Larry proudly served in the United States Army from August 1960 to July 1966.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Ruth of 61-years and his surviving family and dear friends. Larry was a truck driver for many years, Sioux City Motors, and later a dispatcher. He was an avid fisherman, and he loved to camp. Family vacations were most generally camping adventures starting with a very large tent and graduating to a fold-down camper, then to a travel trailer, and later to a 5th wheel mobile home. He loved old western shows and movies. Some of his grandchildren referred to him as their John Wayne grandpa. In later years he loved to read (westerns) and he learned to become incredibly patient, with a good book, as he waited for his wife while she shopped. Larry loved animals, and almost always had a beloved dog. Most recently he befriended Gloria, his neighbor/and good friend (Vada) dog. Gloria was very special to him.