Obituary of Larry Nathan Ambrose

Larry Nathan Ambrose passed peacefully in his sleep June 23, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, after a 20 year battle with Parkinson’s disease and a 4 month battle with liver disease. He was 68. He was the New Year’s baby January 1, 1952, and always said “Everyone celebrates my birthday!” His parents were Floyd & Mary Elva (Harlan) Ambrose. He grew up in Coralville & Iowa City, delivering the Press Citizen and worked for Grant Pickering at the Englert Theater. He would tell, if asked, about the infamous “Coors Run” to Colorado one weekend in high school when he was supposed to be staying with a friend. They also would sneak into the drive-in movie under the fence! Another brilliant idea was using straws and popping the top of glass bottles of pop from the outdoor cooler at the Blue Top Motel in Coralville. After high school at City High (graduated class of 1970) he attended Kirkwood Community College and worked in the Iowa City Police Department where he first met Lynda. They both had families and daughters they were raising in the West Branch area. Their paths crossed often at school functions. After the police department, Larry worked security at the University & VA Hospitals. He later worked at Payless Cashways, drove trucks for a local asphalt company and for several years was a reserve deputy for the Johnson County Sheriffs Department. It was about 2010 when he could no longer drive trucks due to Parkinson’s he was semi-retired but still occasionally hauled for Shannon Siems. He married Lynda Barnhart October 11, 1997. They lived out by Cosgrove for 20 years on the farm with their dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and all that comes with country living. When Lynda retired in 2013, they were able to travel all over the USA, meeting cousins, seeing the Grand Canyon, Pacific Ocean, and Las Vegas. The last four winters were spent in the warm weather in the south with friends – new and old. Larry is survived by his wife, Lynda; daughter, Lara Berkenpas (Andy); grandson, Ben Donohoe and granddaughter, Bailey Donohoe of West Branch.; daughters, Jennifer Weidner (Tom) of Ankeny, and Jess Lynch and family of West Branch; stepdaughter, Jodi Turner (Jeff) and grandson, JD Turner of North Liberty; siblings, Donald Ambrose and family of California, Anita Seih and family of Cedar Rapids, Douglas Ambrose and family of Dubuque; several Ambrose and Netser cousins in Iowa and Harlan cousins in Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and an infant brother, Michael. He was especially fond of his Corgi dogs and horses over the years. His family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ergon Uc, his neurologist at UIHC, Drs. Wheeler and Kijewski; their nurses and clerks and all the staff on 3 Boyd Tower where Larry “ the Stinker” received care and compassion since April 22. A drive-by memorial is being planned for Sunday July 5th starting at 10:30 am at the Springdale United Methodist Church. Memorials can be directed to the Paralyzed Veteran of America through the all Hands on Deck volunteer group of West Branch or their Church – Springdale United Methodist Church where Larry was a valued member and trustee. Thank you to our church family and Pastor Momodu Kumora and former Pastor Ruth Blayer for their love and support. A special Thank You to Dan Ciha for your friendship and compassion in our time of need.