Larry V. Hedlund

Larry Vern Hedlund, one of seven children of Cloe Nettie (Stogdill) and Ralph Oscar Hedlund, was born November 25, 1940 in Malvern, Iowa. Larry attended Malvern schools and graduated from the Malvern High School in 1959. He attended Wayne State Teachers College at Wayne, Nebraska for two years and then accepted a position as a construction supervisor for Kiewit Construction Company of Omaha, Nebraska. Larry enrolled in self-study courses in the field of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation. He later took a job with Uniroyal in Red Oak, Iowa as a facilities maintenance worker.
Larry was united in marriage to Joanna J. Sullivan on February 22, 1962 at the First Baptist Church in Malvern. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Vernelle Joanne, Sheri Renee, and Lynette Leigh. The family continued to live in Malvern where they actively participated in community events.
Larry and Jo partnered with Larry and Lou Maynes to establish Larry's Hardware, an appliance and hardware store in Malvern. Later the store was sold and Larry briefly worked from home, servicing appliances along with heating and air-conditioning systems. He soon accepted a position as contractor supply sales manager for the Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha and later accepted transfers to their Des Moines, Iowa store and finally to their new store in Kansas City. Larry retired in 2003, and he and Jo moved to Shenandoah, Iowa in 2005.
Larry faithfully served the Malvern Community as a member and officer of the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department, member of the City Council and a member of the Commercial Club. In 1971, he was one of thirteen charter members who established Malvern Volunteer Rescue, Inc. and was the first elected secretary-treasurer for the new organization. That same year, he became one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians in the state. Although he lived in several Midwest cities, Malvern was always his home. In addition to his family, Larry found great enjoyment in woodworking and fishing.
Larry and Jo had been married 46 years when he died on March 9, 2008 at the Shenandoah Medical Center at the age of 67 years, 3 months, and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Leonard.
Larry is survived by his wife Joanna Hedlund of Shenandoah, Iowa; daughters, Vernelle Potter and husband Lee and their children, Jessica, Matthew and Logan Potter of Greenville, TX, Sheri Slosson and husband Roger and their children, Hanna and Sydney Slosson of Omaha, NE, Lynette Roberts and husband Scott and their children, Amanda and Megan Roberts of San Antonio, TX; brothers, Lloyd Hedlund and wife Leona of Emerson, IA, Lee Hedlund and wife Luella of Rockport, TX, Lonnie Hedlund and wife Retha of Pineville, LA, Lyle Hedlund and wife DeDe of Carter Lake, IA; sister Vera Crom and husband Geary of Murray, NE; other relatives and friends.

Private Interment

Memorials are suggested to the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department or Malvern Volunteer Rescue.