Cleo Larby

Officiating Reverend Angie Loomis Music "How Great Thou Art" "God Bless America" Carlys Stribe, Accompanist Interment with Military Honors American Legion Post 132, Manilla Nishnabotna Cemetery Manilla, Iowa Cleo Norman, son of Raymond and Florence (Nelson) Larby, was born September 4, 1925 at Carroll, Iowa. He moved with his family to Manilla when he was five years old. The family lived and farmed two miles north of Manilla where Cleo was one of seven children. He attended school in Manilla and joined the United States Air Force in 1950. After two years he received his honorable discharge and returned to Manilla and purchased and worked the family farm. As a young man he enjoyed going to dances with his friends. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Manilla, later the United Church of Manilla. After his oldest sister Edith moved to California, Cleo decided to join her there in 1955. He owned and operated the Pacific Mill and Mine Supply Company, Inc. He flew airplanes privately and enjoyed fishing the High Sierras. While in Los Angeles Cleo was introduced by his sister to Eva Held a native of Germany. They married on September 23, 1961 and made their home in Rancho Palos Verdes. One son was born to this union in 1971 after Eva was on a heart-lung machinethe first birth of this kind in the world. Eva died on June 20, 1977. When Cleo involuntarily' retired, he moved to Pueblo West, CO to be with his son Eric and family. During this time in Colorado Cleo enjoyed fishing, political activism and caring for his chickens. He sold eggs to many in the neighborhood. Cleo was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge, receiving his fifty year pin a number of years ago. Over the years, anyone who knew Cleo was aware of his patriotism as he liked to have the American flag flying whenever possible. Cleo's health declined quite suddenly and he died Monday, November 26, 2012 at his home in Colorado with his family at his side. He was 87 years, 2 months and 22 days of age. Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Eva; and five siblings Edith Oberg, Curtis Larby, Clifford Larby, Erlene Armstrong and Claire Larby. Surviving Cleo is his son Eric Larby and his wife Nicolina and their children Joey and Patrizia of Pueblo West, CO; one sister Evelyn Fuchs of San Antonio, TX; nephews and nieces Hollis Oberg, Kermit Larby, Ruby Simpson, Denny Akromis, Greg Akromis, Timothy Larby, Cindy Fuller and Marlene Dendinger; other relatives and friends.