Ottumwa, Iowa - Larry Eugene Zuehlke, 77, of Ottumwa, died at 3:26 p.m. July 1, 2025 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born April 24, 1948 in Floris to Kenneth Eugene and Anna Mae Mills Zuehlke. He married Susan Sedore May 21, 1972.

A 1966 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Larry served in the US Army for 4 years. He attended the US Military Academy and spent most of his service in Germany where he played on the US Army baseball team. He earned a master's degree + 60 from Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College, earning degrees in mathematics and education. He taught over 40 years as a middle school math teacher in the Ottumwa school district, retiring in 2017.

Larry was a member of Davis Street Christian Church. He owned and operated Mr. Z's Auto from 1977 to 2014 and coached girls' softball and little league baseball for many years. He enjoyed watching the New York Yankees, watching old movies with his wife, Sue and especially loved spending time with his family.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Sue; their children, Brian (Mindy) Zuehlke of Centerville, Todd Zuehlke (Mary Doud) of Ottumwa and Scott (Melissa) Zuehlke of Rosemount, MN; granddaughter, Mariah Zuehlke of Centerville; siblings, Linda Frederiksen of Omaha, David Zuehlke of Ottumwa, James (Kyong) Zuehlke of Georgia, Penny (Henry) Kellar of Ottumwa and Tammy Zuehlke of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and close family friend, Theresa DeKraai.

Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 6th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. His body will be cremated after the visitation.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Monday, July 7th at Davis Street Christian Church with Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Inurnment will be in Brooks Cemetery near Hedrick. Military honors will be conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Davis Street Christian Church or to the family for his granddaughter's education.