Lawrence Duwane Simon

“Lawrence” D. Larry Simon, 79, of Waterloo, IA, died at his home on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, following a battle with cancer.

Larry was born November 27, 1939, in Menomonie, WI, the son of Leonard and Frances M. Gerbich Simon. He received his GED at the age of 54. Larry married Diana Bratsch on May 5, 1962, in Danube, MN.

He had been a heavy equipment mechanic and operator for Assink Brothers Construction Co. and then shop foreman at JD Power Equipment. He retired from Black Hawk County Secondary Roads in 2001 after 22 years as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator and also owned Larry & Mike’s Repair.

He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Larry knew how to operate all kinds of equipment, could fix anything, loved heavy equipment (especially old tractors), and was an Antique Acres supporter. Larry retired so he could work 12 hours a day at his Shop. He enjoyed haggling and always looked for the next best deal buying/selling equipment. He was an outdoorsman and loved Northern Minnesota, fond of animals even keeping pet goats, and since 2010 looked forward to spending winters in Florence, AZ.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Mike (Sherri) Simon‚ Waterloo; a daughter, Rachel (Terry) Van Dyke‚ Buckingham‚ IA; 5 grandchildren: Brandon (Amanda) Simon, Dillion (Tessa) Simon, Cierra (Cameron) Ryan, Ryan Gindling, and Samantha Gindling; a great-grandson, Callen Ryan; and 2 brothers, James (Marilyn) Simon‚ Hibbing‚ MN and Henry (Beverly) Simon‚ Zimmerman‚ MN.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents.