Larry Ray Kauzlarich of Jordan, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2023 surrounded by his family after a long courageous battle with cancer. Larry was born in Centerville, Iowa on February 16th, 1944. His parents were Julius and Virginia Kauzlarich. His siblings are Judy, Joyce, Janee, Kelly, and Nancy.
Larry grew up in Mystic, Iowa and attended school in Mystic and Centerville. He attended college at Centerville Community College and Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. where he received a B.S. in History and a Masters in School Administration. He received his Superintendent’s licensure from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He did additional post graduate education at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Larry also enjoyed playing baseball and basketball his first 2 years of college.
Larry had a 44-year career in education; 2 years in Nebraska, 26 years in Iowa, and 16 years in Minnesota. He taught Social Science and P.E. for 2 years, was an Elementary and High School Principal for 8 years, and a Superintendent for 34 years.
Larry’s main interest outside of his career was spending time with his family. He enjoyed going to his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic and fine arts activities as they moved through school. He also loved showing his sons and grandsons how to play poker because he didn’t want them to get “shnooked” in college. He loved attending college and professional sporting events with family members, especially grandson Noah. He also enjoyed teaching some of them his ticket buying and selling techniques (sometimes referred to as scalping); which he often said was his flea market; as well as how to always be on the lookout for a perfect open seat and an usher who wasn’t paying attention! Though he moved to Minnesota in 1993 and loved the Twins and Vikings, he remained very loyal to cheering on his favorite team, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Larry loved to travel. He traveled to all 50 states, most numerous times, 61 countries and all the continents except Antarctica. Larry said he felt blessed that he was able to visit everywhere in the world that was on his bucket list. His wife, Mary, jokingly said he couldn’t call himself a world traveler, unless he traveled to Antarctica. Mary happily joined him if the destination involved a beach, a warm climate, and lots of sun and relaxation.
Larry was married to Mary Lee Scott in 1966. They had 2 children, Dana and Scott. In 1975 they divorced. Larry then was a single parent to Dana and Scott for 4 plus years. In 1979 Larry married Mary Brekke, his “MaMe”’. To this union, Jenny and Jeff were born, joining Dana and Scott and making our family complete. Mary and Larry were married for 43 years, and they would often joke, about 30 good ones!
Larry is survived by his wife Mary, children Dana Miller (Aaron Langsweirdt), Scott (Jeri), Jenny Bahn (Cullen), and Jeff (Kristen); grandchildren Jessica Miller-Johnson (Derek), Jay, Noah, Ansley Miller, their father John Miller, Kade and Patience Kauzlarich (Alexis Myers), Avery, Harper, and Beckett Bahn, and Hayden Ray and Carter Kauzlarich; and great grandchildren Auden Miller-Jones, Elodie Miller-Johnson, and Apollo Esposito. He is also survived by his siblings, many in-laws, and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly. He is joined in Heaven by his loving parents, Julius and Virginia; father and mother-in-law Rolland and Ellen Brekke; sister-in-law Lynda Kauzlarich; brother-in-law, Dave Sturges; special nephew and great nephew Matthew Nieman and Kolton Gonnerman; and special family friend Roxy Bahn.
When asked how he would like to be remembered Larry said he hoped his family saw him as a caring and loving husband, father and grandfather; and to all he interacted with as an educator, he hoped they saw him as a caring, honest, and fair administrator. As evidenced by the outpouring of support and memories shared by family and friends, it is clear to his family this is exactly how he will be remembered. Larry taught his family the importance of family, love, acceptance, humor, honesty and hard work. His legacy will live on in them.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages family and friends to donate to their home schools. In Jordan, donations are encouraged to be given to the Jordan Education Foundation in Larry’s name.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan. A Celebration of Life Service is on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM at The Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan. A reception will follow.
Cards and memorials can be shared with Larry’s family c/o Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation; 104 First Street West; Jordan, MN 55352.
