Larry J. Bell

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Larry J. Bell, 74, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 31, 2026, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Visitation will be held 2 – 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Visitation will continue from 9 – 10 a.m. at the funeral home prior to funeral services.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding followed by burial in the church cemetery.

Larry was born May 30, 1952, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of John and Marian (Anstoetter) Bell. He graduated from Beckman Catholic High School in 1970. Larry married Karen Noonan on February 7, 1975, at St. Patrick’s Church in Garryowen. He farmed west of Dyersville for 46 years raising corn, soybeans, and hogs. He was a hard worker and was known to his family as someone who could fix anything.

Larry was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Basilica and was a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. He was president of the Dyersville Farmers Community Fire Department Board and was past president of the Delaware County Farm Bureau.

Larry and Karen were very involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives and regularly traveled to visit them in Ames and Chicago to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and watch their grandchildren’s events. Larry enjoyed his regular poker nights and golf with friends. In retirement, he took up beekeeping and gardening. He was also a Green Bay Packers fan who was proud to be an official Packers shareholder.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Karen, son, Brian of Chicago, daughter, Colleen (Adam) Humphrey of Ames and daughter-in-law, Katie Bell of Lemont, IL. Grandchildren, Christian and Juliet Humphrey and Lucy and Jake Bell. Siblings, Ann Millenkamp, Donna Motta, Kathy (Mick) Coleman, Jan Craiker, Jeff (Liz) Bell. In-laws, Jane Demmer, Diane (Clay) Gavin, Stephen (Janet) Noonan, Maureen (Nick) Gaeta, Caroline (Michael) Erickson.

Larry was preceded in death by his son Patrick in 2024; his parents; parents-in-law, Glynn and Betty Noonan; brothers-in-law: Peter Motta, John Demmer; and niece, Miya Erickson. 

Larry and his son Patrick’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ donation.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Dyersville Police Department, Bi-County Ambulance for their quick response, and MercyOne Dyersville, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for their kind and compassionate care.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home (Dyersville, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Monticello, Holy Cross) is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.