Larry Straw age 85 of New Hampton passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 8, at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab Center.
Memorial Service was Thursday, July 16, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton with a Celebration of Life to follow.
Friends may greet the family two hours prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to S.N.A.P of Chickasaw County.
Larry was born Sept. 7, 1940, in New Hampton to Orville and Wilma (Weidler) Straw. Growing up in New Hampton, he developed a lifelong love of wrestling, sports, family, and community that would define much of his life.
It was in New Hampton that Larry met the love of his life, Lois. After making a few determined attempts to win her heart, Lois finally agreed to give him a chance, beginning a love story that would span more than six decades. They were united in marriage on June 11, 1960, and together they raised two daughters, Tammy and Tracy.
Following their marriage, Larry and Lois made their home in Waterloo before moving to Mount Vernon. There, Larry dedicated himself to education as a physical education teacher and head wrestling coach at Mt. Vernon High School during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His influence reached far beyond wins and losses as he mentored countless young athletes, teaching them discipline, hard work, and confidence.
In 1978, Larry and Lois returned home to New Hampton, where they began a new chapter together at the Carney/Schnurr/Carney Insurance Agency. Working side by side, Larry and Lois eventually became owners of the business, renaming it Carney/Straw Insurance. Their partnership in both business and marriage was built on trust, dedication, and a shared commitment to serving their community.
Although Larry enjoyed a successful career in insurance, wrestling always remained close to his heart. In the late 1990s, he returned to the mat as head wrestling coach for his beloved New Hampton Chickasaws, his alma mater. Coaching for four seasons, Larry helped lead the Chickasaws to a runner-up finish at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament in his final season. That year, he was honored by the Iowa Coaches and Officials Association as the Class 2A Coach of the Year—an achievement he considered among the proudest of his life.
Yet Larry measured success by far more than trophies. He formed lasting relationships with every wrestler he coached. Years after they graduated, he could still remember their names, matches, and accomplishments. He genuinely cared about the young men who wore a Chickasaw singlet, and they knew they always had a coach who believed in them. The bond he shared with generations of wrestlers became one of his life’s greatest legacies.
Even after stepping away from the corner of the mat, Larry’s passion for Chickasaw wrestling never faded. He became the program’s unofficial historian and statistician, meticulously maintaining records dating back to 1933. A walking wrestling record book, Larry took great pride in preserving the rich tradition and history of New Hampton wrestling.
Larry believed friendships were meant to be nurtured. He started a Wednesday night poker game that became a tradition and continues to this day. During the summer months, however, Wednesdays belonged to the golf course, where he enjoyed countless rounds with friends and proudly celebrated one unforgettable hole-in-one. He also treasured quiet days spent fishing with his father, creating memories that remained close to his heart throughout his life.
Family was Larry’s foundation. The Straw family shared an extraordinary bond, especially Larry and his brothers, Bill and Gooter. Whether cheering at wrestling meets, sharing stories over drink at Chaff’s, or simply enjoying one another’s company, the Straw boys were rarely far apart. Their closeness was admired by everyone who knew them.
Larry was also an avid supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the University of Northern Iowa. Wrestling season was sacred, but he was equally passionate about Hawkeye football, basketball, and following the Panthers. Watching sports was never just entertainment—it was another way to stay connected to the games he loved.
Above all else, Larry will be remembered for the relationships he built. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel important, remembering names, accomplishments, and stories years after others might have forgotten. His encouragement, quick wit, competitive spirit, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on family, friends, former students, wrestlers, customers, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Larry is survived by two daughters, Tammy Straw of Tampa, Fla., Tracy Straw of Euclid, Ohio; one sister-in-law, Connie Straw of Carville; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lois in 2023; two brothers, Tom “Gooter” Straw, William “Bill” (Ruth) Straw.