Charles Joseph Larkin

The Larkin family would like to share their memories of a man whose kindness touched our days, and whose twinkle in his eyes and gentle smile endeared him not only to his family but to his friends. Charles J. (Chuck) Larkin, 84, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, March 13, 2014, at his home in rural Waukon, after his courageous battle with Parkinsons disease for 29 years. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 22nd, at 11:30 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 9:30 AM until time of services at the church on Saturday. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the La Crosse Area Parkinson Support Group.

Charles Joseph Larkin was born on November 28, 1929 on his parents' farm in Allamakee County, the son of John and Miranda (Link) Larkin. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Catholic Church at Cherry Mound in rural Harpers Ferry, IA. Chuck attended country school in Jefferson Township and graduated from St. Patrick Catholic High School in 1949. After graduating he went to work for Link Belt Speeder, Dewey Almy Chemical Company, Hubbard Ice and the Hotel Roosevelt all in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Chuck met Gayle Berg at Matter's Ballroom in Decorah, and on September 19, 1953 they were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church on June 1, 1958, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing. They lived in Cedar Rapids for seven years. They moved back to the Waukon area, where they farmed in Center Township. Chuck was a hard working dairy and hog farmer until his health failed. He and Gayle then moved to his farm in Makee Township.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Allamakee County Farm Bureau and the La Crosse Area Parkinson Groups. Chuck enjoyed bowling, playing cards, dancing and spending time on the Mississippi River with his family. He loved to travel with Gayle to Hawaii, Jamaica and Norway. Together they enjoyed camping and many bluegrass festivals in the midwest. His favorite time was when he was with his family for the holidays.

Survivors include his wife Gayle Larkin of Waukon; his children: Bradley (Joyce) Larkin of Lansing, IA, Lyndon (Sara) Larkin of Onalaska, WI, Timothy (Leslie) Larkin of Fayette, MO, and Lora (David) Busch of La Crosse, WI; eight grandchildren: Trent (Kayla) and Ben Larkin, Mickaela and Katie Larkin, Rachel and Abigail Larkin, Shira and Trinity Busch; 4 step grandchildren: Nellie, Henry, Rebecca and Eva; three sisters: Eleanor Ryan of Waukon, Evelyn Reuter of Monticello, IA, and Alice Murphy of Richfield, MN; four brothers: Clem Larkin, John (Rose) Larkin and Herb (Patsy) Larkin all of Waukon, and Ray (Janice) Larkin of El Paso, TX, and a brother-in-law Donald Berg of Aransas Pass, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Frances Gallagher and Marian Ryan; and four brothers-in-law: Ed Ryan, Charles Ryan, Roy Reuter and Vernon Gallagher.

Honorary casketbearers are Al Hanson, Walter and Lorraine Johnson, Jim and Carol Moe, Chester and Darlene Schlake, Jerry Schnuelle, Larry Spilde, Janelle Stendel and Chuck's grandchildren. Casketbearers are Paul Promnitz, Darwin Schlake, Roger Ericson, Robert and John Iseli, Bob Hanson, Larry Johnson, and Bob Larkin.