Larry Allen Bouza

Larry Allen Bouza was born September 28, 1936 and died peacefully with family May 4, 2025. Larry’s parents were Gordon and Anna (Hakl) Bouza. Larry’s father played in a polka band, which is where Larry got his lifelong love of music. Larry enjoyed growing up with older siblings Duane (Sue) Bouza, Delores Hakl, Gordon (Connie, Phyllis) Bouza, and Ray (Mary) Bouza.

Larry’s family taught him to fish, to hunt, and to play cards (especially pitch and cribbage), all of which he did avidly. Larry later delighted in telling of his adventures and misadventures growing up. In high school Larry thrived in athletics, playing football, basketball, and baseball and did well enough in academics to graduate.

After high school, Larry served in the United States Army and Reserve from 1956 to 1962, where he sang, coached baseball, trained as a welder, and became a downhill ski instructor. While stationed in Italy, Larry went on leave with a buddy to Scotland, where he went on a double date. The date went well as he proposed to Jean Bell on their second date.

After Larry got out of the regular Army (and spent some time singing professionally), Jean flew to South Dakota, and they wed in 1959. As Jean more enjoyed life in a city, they moved to Omaha, and Larry took up welding as a career. They had their first son, Gordon, who died tragically in 1962. Larry and Jean always remembered Gordon, continued their life together, and had three more children: Janet Bouza; Larry Bouza, Junior; and Lori-Kay (Bouza) Rabiola.

During this time Larry began collecting antique bottles, amassing a large collection that he took to bottle shows. While still welding full-time, Larry began a janitorial service, which became his full-time career in 1975. Through this business he supported his immediate family and was able to support extended family members who moved to Omaha.

In addition to running his business, Larry loved entertaining family and friends with singing, playing instruments, telling jokes, playing cards, and telling stories of his exploits. He also hunted and fished with family and friends when he could.

Jean passed suddenly in 1996, which made continuing difficult for Larry, but he did for his children and for his grandchildren and their families: Christopher Rabiola (Emily Harrison) and Calvin; Laurie Anne (Zach) Devney and Edison; Candice (Herman) Vanden Bosch; Stephanie Rabiola (Matt McArdle); Rachel (Caleb) Kohman and Bennett and Abigail; Andrew (Jessie) Bouza and Briar and Banks;

Natalie (Brent Biggs) Rabiola; and Alyssa Rabiola.

Larry ran Bouza’s Janitorial Service until he retired in 2004, which gave him more time to hunt, to fish, to play cards, and to enjoy his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2004, Larry met his second wife, Arlene Shreve.

Larry is deeply loved and will be missed immensely.