Larry Gene Rogness

Larry was born April 8, 1952, in Ft. Eustis, VA. to Myron and Marjorie (Hagen) Rogness, the oldest of four children. He attended grade school in Sidney, MT and graduated from Sidney Senior High School with the class of 1970. Larry attended University of Montana in Missoula and North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton.

On August 31, 1972 he married his high school sweetheart, best friend and love of his life, Cherie Lin Rider. Larry enlisted in the Air Force and attended Basic Training at Lackland, AFB, San Antonio, TX. After graduation, he went on to Tech School at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX, where Cherie joined him. He was then stationed at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota for four years and received an honorable discharge fall 1976. The next two years he attended University of ND, Grand Forks and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Larry and Cherie moved with their one-year old son to Marion, IA where they were blessed with another son & daughter.

Larry was employed by Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids as a aerospace software engineer for 22 years. He then worked for a small company before starting his own business. After moving to Moline, IL in 2010, he took a job with Cobham Life Support Systems, Davenport, IA until 2016 when he retired. He continued work as a consultant for the next five years. In 2020 he and Cherie moved to Altoona, IA to be closer to family.

Larry was devoted to his family making vacations to MT, CA and various other locations a priority. He enjoyed coaching and mentoring young people at church and the workplace. He always had a smile and loved helping people. Faith was very important to Larry and Cherie. He lived his faith; serving as elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher, etc. at church over the years. Long walks, travel, boating, fishing, golfing, attending the theater, baseball games, outdoor concerts, visiting wineries, watching movies, grandchildren’s activities, and specifically spending time with Cherie alongside

family and friends brought many cherished memories.

Larry is survived by his wife Cherie; son Ryan (Jana) and their children Evan and Leona, Urbandale, IA; son Jared and his daughter Scarlett, Ventura, CA; daughter Jessica, Cedar Rapids, IA; Brother Darrell ( Bonnie), Olathe, KS; and sister Debra Olson, Sidney, MT. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and sister LuWanna Henke.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research. Larry’s family wishes to thank all those who have been supportive with love and prayers along with the nurses, caregivers and doctors that cared for Larry during his illness. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched.