Larry Lee Sheldon

Larry Lee Sheldon passed away on February 27, 2022 with his son Mike and sister Judy at his side. Larry was born on December 19, 1938 in Hamburg, Iowa. He participated in Iowa Boys State with the 1955 class before graduating from Thurman High School in 1956, and then from Northwest Missouri State College in 1960 with a B.S. degree in accounting and economics. Larry was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity.

It was at college that he met his wife of nearly 64 years, Judith (Maris) Sheldon. Judy and Larry were married August 10, 1958, in Albany, Missouri. They raised their three children primarily in the Des Moines area and lived in England for four years during the seventies.

Larry began his professional career as a CPA with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company. He traveled extensively in Western and Eastern Europe during his years with Delavan Manufacturing Company, where he became Vice President of European Subsidiaries. As a partner with McGladrey & Pullen in Des Moines and Denver, Larry rose to Managing Partner of the Des Moines office. Before retiring in 1999, his work was concentrated in Iowa, but also took him to Saudi Arabia and Argentina.

Traveling for work ignited Larry’s love for travel. He and Judy enjoyed seeing the world together. Whether it was just the two of them or with friends, their adventures took them to multiple European destinations for exploring, and resorts where they could golf and experience the rich sights, sounds and tastes of different locales. In 2008, Larry made his dream a reality by taking his whole family to Hawaii to celebrate his and Judy’s 50th wedding anniversary.

Larry’s sense of adventure extended into his past-times. He became a private pilot at the age of 55. He owned various sailboats of increasing size, and shared annual fishing trips to Canada with friends, son, and grandsons. The Des Moines Golf and Country Club was a favorite place of both Larry and Judy for golf and getting together with friends.

Larry was “Poppa” to five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, one of which shares his birthday. He loved holding them as babies; watching them grow through recitals, sports, and summer visits; and was very involved in grandson Zac’s life as he was growing up.

As Larry’s beloved Judy has declined with Alzheimer’s dementia, he has been devoted to her care and to spending as much time with her as he could, holding hands as they traveled the last leg of their life journey together.

Larry’s wife, Judith survives him as do his children Mike (Pam) Sheldon of Black Mountain, NC; Lori (Scott) Creighton of Sanborn, MN; Debbie of Des Moines; grandchildren Sarah (Eric) Olson of Bismarck, ND; Zachary (Madeline) Norman of Kilgore, TX; Andrew (Stephanie) Creighton of Shakopee, MN; Elizabeth Sheldon of Raleigh, NC; Katherine Sheldon of Fort Worth, TX; great-grandchildren Corran, Harrison, Kora, Flynn and Bonnie; sisters Sue, Judy and Claudia, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends will celebrate his life on Saturday, March 5 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. Visitation begins at 9:30 am with a memorial service at 11:00 am with lunch to follow. Interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorials in Larry’s name may be made to the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center or Link Associates, on whose boards Larry served.