March 18, 1944 – September 6, 2023

Larry Bleyenburg, 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church, Edgerton, with Pastor Mark Groen officiating. The congregation sang It Is Well With My Soul, How Great Thou Art, and God Be With You Till We Meet Again and were accompanied by organist Diane Westenberg. Pallbearers were Brandon Gunnink, Jordan Gunnink, Trent Bleyenburg, Micah Bleyenburg, Mark Brockberg, and Greyson Dowling. Honorary pallbearers were Jaxston Gunnink, Jensen Gunnink, and Raeleigh Gunnink.

Interment was in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.

Larry Arylan Bleyenburg was born March 18, 1944, to Dick and Cora Bleyenburg of Edgerton, MN. He graduated from Edgerton Public School and then took classes at Nettleton College for accounting. Larry married Lila Van Dyke on August 20, 1964. To that union, two children were born, Sandra and Loren. The couple made their home in Iowa and Larry worked at several bakeries. In 1965, they moved to Edgerton. Larry worked as a custodian for the Edgerton Public School  until 1978. He also drove truck on the weekends and was one of the night watchmen in town. From 1978-1982, Larry worked as a truck driver. After that he became the custodian at the First Reformed Church in Edgerton, a position he held until 2019. He also did other jobs during that time, including hauling fuel for  Fraser Oil and driving school bus for Hendriks Bus Service. Larry was known as a “jack of all trades.” He was always willing to help people with various little jobs like hanging curtain rods, installing faucets, pouring concrete, landscaping, electrical work, and plumbing. You name it – he could do it! When Larry wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, raising beef cattle, tinkering in the back garage, and taking trips to Northern Minnesota to see the fall colors. 

Larry was known to say, “That’ll be fine!” and “I can take care of it.” He rarely said “no” if it was in his power to help someone. 

Larry passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the age of 79, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Larry is lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Lila Bleyenburg; daughter Sandra (Loren) Gunnink of Leota; son Loren (Jill) Bleyenburg of Edgerton; four grandchildren: Brandon (Becca) Gunnink, Jordan (Courtney) Gunnink, Trent Bleyenburg, and Micah Bleyenburg; four great-grandchildren: Greyson Dowling, Jaxston Gunnink, Jensen Gunnink, and Raeleigh Gunnink; siblings: Art (Rose) Bleyenburg of Edgerton, Arlene Hulstein of Edgerton, Henry (Judy) Bleyenburg of Crete, Ill., Claris (Colleen) Bleyenburg of Dade City, Fla., Janice (Jim) Lanting of Dyer, Ind., and Dennis (Aud) Bleyenburg of Edgerton; sister-in-law Peggy Bleyenburg of Chino, Calif.; and brothers- and sisters-in-law Norm and Glenda Van Dyke and Ron and Mary Van Dyke; and many nieces and nephews. 

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Gladys Mae, Gladys Gertrude, and Esther, and his brother Bernie; his mother- and father-in-law, Bill and Arlene Van Dyke; and his brother-in-law, Ed Hulstein.