Larry F. Gantenbein

A Celebration of Life for Larry F. Gantenbein, 74, Eudora, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eudora United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Michael Tomson-DeGreeff officiating. Mr. Gantenbein died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Medicalodges Eudora. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church.

Larry was born Sept. 21, 1938, in Concordia, Kan. He graduated from Minneapolis, Kan. High School. He attended Kansas University and was drafted into the U.S. Army his senior year. The Vietnam War was just starting when he was discharged. He spent many years at Hallmark Cards working for several trucking companies. He retired from Graham Ship by Truck in 2000.

Larry never met a stranger. He saw good in everyone and loved animals. He was an avid KU fan. His biggest love in life was his children and especially his seven grandsons. His face would light up the room when he saw them. They all visited him often and he would laugh at their adventures. He was so proud of their accomplishments, and never missed a game or event they were in, be it basketball, football, soccer, baseball, or swimming.

He married Pat Butler. They later divorced. He then married Loretta Charbonneau Coon. They celebrated 30 years together in Aug. She survives of the home. Also surviving are his children, Vicki Johnson (Marion) of Eudora, David Gantenbein (Rachael) of Valley Center, Kan., and Lisa Ricketts (David) of Lenexa, grandchildren Tyler, Logan, & Connor Hartpence, Matt & Trevor Ricketts, and Boone & Aidan Gantenbein, and brother Harry Gantenbein and his family of Beloit.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Frances White.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Eudora United Methodist Church, or Medicalodges Activity Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. The family would like to thank Medicalodges Eudora for all their wonderful care to our husband, dad, and grandpa. The love you showed him will always be remembered.