Laurence R. Caskey, age 85, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died Thursday, June 1, 2006 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home of Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be Monday, June 5, 2006 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids.

Laurence Richard Caskey was born April 17, 1921 on a farm near Webb, Iowa to Millard and Effie (Mays) Caskey. He attended school in Webb, graduating from Webb High School in 1939.

Laurence was baptized and remained a faithful member of the First United Church in Sioux Rapids.

On November 30, 1942, Laurence was united in marriage to Darleen Kathryn Wenck in Dakota City, Nebraska. To this union, three children were born: Virginia, Dale and David.

Laurence was a life-long farmer who took great pride in his work, and loved the land and his livestock. In April of 1985, he retired but did not lose his interest in agriculture. In addition to his love of tractors and trains, Laurence enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards, dancing, traveling and camping.

More than anything, Laurence loved his family and never missed his children’s activities over the years. His family was his life, and he dearly cherished the special camping trips with his family, especially with his grandchildren. Laurence and Darleen shared a special bond, as they worked side by side every day of their married lives. Wherever you found one, the other was surely to be close by. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Darleen Caskey of Sioux Rapids; daughter Virginia (Gerald) Leidahl of Ridgeway, Iowa; sons: Dale (Sherry) Caskey of Kansas City, Missouri and David (Sue) Caskey of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren: Chris (Carol) Leidahl of Hagerstown, Maryland, Lisa (Joe) Vsetecka of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, John (Melinda) Caskey of Galveston, Texas, and Katie Caskey of San Antonio, Texas; great grandchildren: Eric Watts, Hanna, Heidi and Joshua Vsetecka and Emily DeWinne; two sisters-in-law: Lela Caskey of Storm Lake and Phyllis Caskey of Bella Vista, Arkansas; as well as other extended family and friends.

Laurence was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Harold, Lloyd and Stanley.

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