Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.

Larry Dale Uecker

October 28, 1942 - January 31, 2017
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Friday, February 3, 2017
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, February 3, 2017
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Saturday, February 4, 2017
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Immanual Lutheral Church
2 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-3655
Map
Web Site

Service

Saturday, February 4, 2017
11:00 AM EST
Immanuel Lutheran Church
2 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Immanuel Lutheran Church
2 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Map
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Fun-loving and hardworking, Larry Uecker lived life to the fullest while holding his loved ones near.

It was while the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on that Emil H. and Lila A. (Passmore) Uecker were blessed with the birth of their baby boy they named Larry Dale on October 28, 1942, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the third of five Uecker children as he was raised in the family home at 552 Shirley alongside his older siblings, Roger and Burton, and his younger siblings, Dennis and Kim. Larry’s father had a repair garage and sold jeeps while his mother was a homemaker who died of cancer when Larry was five. His father later remarried and Larry was raised by his adoptive mother, Irma. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, visiting the YMCA downtown, and in high school he enjoyed his job at Michigan Bakery. Larry was baptized, confirmed, and later married at Immanuel Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member.

The bulk of Larry’s career was spent at General Welders, which was later known as GWI Engineering where he learned the trade as an electrician. After 30 years, Larry took a job as the Electrical Panel Shop Supervisor at Apex Controls for 20 more years. Even after retiring Apex relied on his electrical expertise and knowledge for future electrical projects.

First and foremost in Larry’s life was his family. He was blessed to become a father to two daughters, Susanne and Christine. He later met Patricia Bos through a neighbor. They began dating and were married on March 29, 1969. They lived in Cutlerville for a few years and later moved to the place Larry called home for the rest of his life. Together they were blessed with two children, Robert and Laurie. As a family they enjoyed numerous vacations including out West, to the Canadian Rockies, San Francisco, and the East Coast. Larry and Pat spent two months in Gulf Shores, Alabama, each winter, and he went there one last time this season. Larry also loved their dogs; Tippi, Tuffy, Nicki, Jasper, Bradley, and Braidy, they were like additional family members. Later in life he treasured spending time with his family and freinds.

A man of many interests. He was an avid fisherman of area lakes and streams as well as salmon and coho fishing on the big lake. He loved both gun and bow hunting for deer and bagged many trophies over the years including an eight pointer this past October. Larry took the kids hunting with him when they were younger, and he belonged to Qua-Ke-Zik Sportsman Club. He often competed in a Round Robin Tournament against other clubs, and Larry was a crack shot. He was happiest when sitting around a campfire at his trailer in Mesik, Michigan. Larry was very involved in numerous events at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Immanuel St. James School. He was known for his famous Larry’s baked beans, various venison dishes, among many others. Larry loved watching various crime shows, and Michigan Out of Doors.

Gentle, caring, and faithful, Larry Uecker was a blessing to everyone he met and will never be forgotten.

Larry D. Uecker, aged 74 of Grand Rapids, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at his home with his loving family at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Lila Uecker and his adopted mother, Irma Uecker, granddaughter, Alyson Knenlein, his brothers, Dennis (Margie) Uecker and Kim Uecker. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patricia Uecker (Bos); his children, Susanne Uecker-Coleman, Christine Uecker, Robert (Natalie) Uecker, Laurie Uecker; his grandchildren, Alicia Bertram, Joseph (Jenny) Bertram, Ashley Coleman, Daniel Knenlein, Ethan Uecker; his great grandson, Gianni Coleman; his brothers, Roger (Rita) Uecker, and Burton (Lois) Uecker; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donna (Ray) Schouten, Jerry (Kathy) Bos, Gordon Ostman; many nieces, nephews and friends. Larry was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to all who knew him. He worked as an electrician at both GWI Engineering and Apex Controls. He loved hunting, fishing and being in the outdoors. The service to celebrate Larry’s life will be held on Saturday Feb. 4, at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2 Michigan St. NE. Burial in Restlawn Cemetery, Holland, MI. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, on Friday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 pm, and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00. Contributions in his memory may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. To read more about Larry’s life, to sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com

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