Lawrence C. “Larry” Jirak

Friday, April 1, 2016 3:01 pm

Lawrence C. “Larry” Jirak, 77, of Lawler, died Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the Winneshiek Medical Center, in Decorah. A Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 1, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the service are Nancy Upmeyer and Gladys Hruska. Presenting the offertory gifts are grandchildren, Kelli Jirak, Elsie Jenkinson and Asher Jirak. Interment is in Sacred Heart Cemetery – Reilly Ridge, rural Lawler, with Craig Jirak, Marty Jirak, Debbie Jirak, Brandi Jenkinson, Ryann Jenkinson and Kori Jirak as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler, where there is a 7:45 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church Thursday. Arrangements are with Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Lawler.  Online condolences for Larry’s family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Lawrence Clarence “Larry” Jirak was born Feb. 11, 1939, in New Hampton, the son of Clarence and Viola (Cervenka) Jirak. He received his education in the Utica No. 4 country school and was a 1956 graduate of the New Hampton High School. As a young man, he began working on the farm for his father and grandfather. He married Edna Langreck June 6, 1962, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union two children were born; and in 1971 and 1973, the couple adopted Laura and Chris, respectively. Larry and Edna farmed and fed-out cattle their entire married life. He also sold Pioneer seed corn for over 43 years and was a co-leader for the local 4-H for over 10 years. Larry was, in addition, a director at the Sacred Heart Cemetery for over 40 years. Larry and Edna traveled the world together, and with other couples, to many points in the world, including Europe, New Zealand, Ireland and Australia. He loved his annual fishing trip to Canada with his buddies for over 20 years. Larry enjoyed playing cards and bowling, having one perfect 300 game. He especially loved time with his grandchildren, skiing, biking and canoeing.

Survivors include his wife, Edna; two sons, Jeff (Cindy) Jirak of Lawler, Chris Jirak of New Hampton; one daughter, Laura (Austin Otto) Jenkinson of Dennison; nine grandchildren: Craig Jirak, Marty Jirak, Debbie Jirak, Brandi Jenkinson, Ryann Jenkinson, Elsie Jenkinson and Kori Jirak; Kelli Jirak, and Asher Jirak; two step-grandchildren, Elsie Otto and Wynn Otto; one brother, Dave Jirak of Lawler; two sisters, Yvonne Sadler of Madison, Wis., Janell Jirak of Minneapolis; his right-hand-man for over 23 years, Scott (Carrie) Bohaty of New Hampton; three exchange students: Henk Kuiper of The Netherlands, Alfredo Bouza of Spain, Rodrigo Naves of Brazil.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah, in 1969; his parents; one sister, Geraldine Tigges.