Larry Eugene Argotsinger, the son of Kenneth Barnard and Betty Lou (Riddle) Argotsinger, was born January 27, 1940, in Dow City, IA. Larry died January 25, 2026, at Prairie Gate Retirement Center in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 29 days.
Larry moved to a farm near Woodbine, IA, when he was five years old. He graduated from Woodbine High School in 1958 and served in the Army Reserves. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from UNL in 1965. On September 11, 1960, he married Bonnie Rae Sorenson in Woodbine, IA. The couple lived in Lincoln, NE, and Superior, NE, before moving to Oakland, IA, in 1966, where they raised their children in faith and to value family, friends and community. Larry worked at and later purchased Criswell Pharmacy. Larry sold the pharmacy in 1984 and moved to Monroe, MO, for a short time before returning to Oakland. He continued to work as a pharmacy relief at No Frills and Pamida until he retired at the age of 70.
Larry was a dedicated member of the RLDS Church, where he served as a Priest, youth leader, young adult leader, and counselor at church camps during the summer. He was also a volunteer fireman and EMT in Oakland. Larry had a passion for golfing, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, cutting wood, playing cards and cribbage, traveling with family and friends, listening to music, and sitting on the deck. The Woodbine family farm was a lifelong place of joy for him, and he loved taking his children and grandchildren there to enjoy the garden, hunt mushrooms, and set off fireworks. Life was at its best for Larry when he was sitting in the driveway in a lawn chair.
Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bonnie; his daughter, Denise Williams of LaVista, NE, and daughter in law, Tammy Lewis (Todd) of Omaha, NE; his grandchildren, Jacob Williams (Shauna) of Papillion, NE, Jessica Stanek (Austin) of Omaha, NE, Cydnie Argotsinger (Isaac) of Blair, NE, and Jaymie Argotsinger of Omaha, NE. He is also survived by his sisters, Judy Anderson, Patty McGuire, Debra Fillion (Lee), and Diana Lowery (Jay); sister-in-laws, Connie Argotsinger, Sandra Kelsey, and Janice Walker; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Betty Argotsinger; his in-laws, Walter and Marjorie Sorenson; his sons, Bruce and Scott Argotsinger; his brothers, James, Dennis, and Gale Argotsinger; his sister-in-laws, Karen Argotsinger and Kathryn Radloff Beyer; and his brothers-in-law, Morris Walker and Philip Kelsey.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Prairie Gate Senior Living on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM, followed by visitation with the family until 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Larry’s name.
