Lawrence James Taken

Lawrence James “Larry” Taken, 86, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Regional Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was born on December 26, 1938, at home on the farm near Edgewood, the son of Robert and Ida (Schirmer) Taken. Lawrence grew up on a farm near Edgewood and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the National Guard with Company D, 133rd Infantry. During this time, Lawrence also farmed with his parents. He then purchased the farm that his grandparents and parents owned before him.

On December 16, 1960, Lawrence was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sandra Fenchel, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Two children were born to this union.  They shared 62 years devoted to each other, their family, and their farm.

Lawrence was a hard worker and loved farming. He had a wonderful sense of humor and his smile made everyone around him smile. In retirement, Lawrence had more time to spend with Sandra taking day trips, going out to eat, getting ice cream, and visiting with family and friends. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lawrence will be deeply missed by his two children, Joseph (Patty) Taken of Springfield, Missouri, and Jennifer (Keith) Kritz of Edgewood; three grandchildren, Benjamin Taken of St. Louis, Missouri, Jacob Taken of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jacob Kritz of Edgewood; two great-grandchildren, Cheyanne and Jeramiah Kritz of Edgewood; sister, Barbara Schnipkoweit, and brother, Almore (Betty) Taken, both of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, Don Vertz of San Francisco, California; sister-in-law, Arline Taken of Surprise, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Taken; parents, Robert and Ida Taken; brother, Walter Taken; sister, Theresa Taken-Vertz; his great-grandson, James Kritz; and brother-in-law, Delmar Schnipkoweit.

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