Theodore "Ted" R. Larimer

UPDATE:  Due to recent weather alert, the private service has been moved to Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory - Geneseo Chapel and will be live-streamed on Facebook for family and friends to view at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020.  The live-streaming will begin at approximately 10:15 to allow people an opportunity to log in and get settled prior to the service beginning.

Theodore “Ted” R. Larimer, 84, of Geneseo, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Allure of Geneseo.  A private graveside service will be held on Friday, April 17, 2020, at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  Reverend Matt Kamprath will officiate.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church, Geneseo, IL.

Ted was born December 29, 1935, the son of Ray and Agnes (Peterson) Larimer, in Geneseo.  He attended Geneseo schools and graduated from Geneseo High School in 1953.  He graduated from Augustana College in 1957, and then was a teaching assistant at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1959, with a Master of Science degree in geology.  He went to work for Texaco as a geologist in Jackson, MS and worked as a petroleum geologist throughout the Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountains, and Alaska.  On August 9, 1968, he married Cherie L. Mettepenningen, in Rock Island, IL.  In 1968, he also was employed by Bettendorf Middle School as a science teacher.  In 1982, he left the education field and became a self-employed independent petroleum geologist.  Ted was elected to the Bettendorf School Board for a three-year term.  He was active in St. James Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, where he sang in the choir and was a member of the church council.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Geneseo, and the Moose Lodge.  Ted was Treasurer of the Blackhawk Chapter of the Izaak Walton League.  He was President of Giant Goose Conservation Education Workshop, Atkinson, IL, for four years and started the education program there in 1994.  He was Education Director at Giant Goose for 12 years and increased the youth participation to over 1,200 youth every year.  Ted enjoyed conducting field trips and scout activities at Giant Goose for the local youth.  He liked to camp, fish, and do yard work. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Cherie; six children, Steve (Carla) Larimer, Clifton, VA, Julie Early, St. Paul, MN, Vickie (Ray) Skelton, East Moline, IL, Kelly (John) Allgaier, Orono, MN, Terri (Kevin) Allinger, New Auburn, MN, and Mark Walker, East Moline, IL; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dick (Carol) Larimer, NC, and Randy (Lori) Larimer, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Agnes.