Dr. Larry G. Rigler, 73

Dr. Larry G. Rigler, former Iowa City resident and physician, passed away Sept. 28, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, due to respiratory failure. Private funeral services were held Oct. 1 at Pope John Paul II Church in Bigfork, with Monsignor Donald Shea officiating. Born in 1937 in Guthrie County, Iowa, he attended local schools and graduated from Guthrie Center High in 1954. He then attended Iowa State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics and statistics. Upon graduation, he married Judy Struthers of Ottosen, Iowa, and the couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on Aug. 8th of this year. After serving six months of military service as an ROTC military officer at Fort Sill, Okla., the couple returned to Iowa where he completed his master s degree in agricultural economics. He then had two analyst marketing jobs, with Indiana Farm Bureau Co-op in Indianapolis, and the Toni Company in Chicago. In 1964 he attended the University of Iowa Medical School and received his MD degree in 1969. He then completed an internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Returning to Iowa City, he was a family physician with Medical Associates and an active Mercy Hospital staff member, until his retirement in 1999. That same year, he and Judy moved to West Bend, Iowa, near Judy s hometown of Ottosen. They enjoyed traveling, especially in the West. The couple built a home on Flathead Lake near Glacier Park, and spent many memorable family summers together. The couple have two children, Collin of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Diana McClaran and Tim of Belgrade, both Iowa City High graduates; and, in addition, four grandchildren, Nick, 15; Max, 14; Ford, 11; and Lucy, 9. His father, Leo Rigler; and his brother, Gerald Rigler (Laurie) preceded him in death. His mother Marie Rigler, and sister Roma Stetzel and Barry, currently reside in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Larry s brother, Dr. Wilson Rigler and Linda of Centerville Iowa, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins survive him. Besides being a dedicated doctor, husband and father, he possessed interests in agriculture, photography, amateur radio, history, politics, traveling and helping others. His favorite pastime, without a doubt, was spending time with family and friends. Condolences may be sent to the Rigler family, P.O. Box 365, Lakeside, MT 59922. Donations in his memory may be sent to Q.R.U. (Quick Response Unit), P.O. Box 911, Lakeside, MT 59922.