Larry T. Mullally

Lawrence “Larry” Thomas Mullally, age 77, of Storm Lake, Iowa died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at the St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will take place Friday, February 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will take place at a later date in the Elk Township Cemetery in Alta, Iowa. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 4-7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Larry was born May 10, 1945 to Michael Joseph Mullally Sr. and Marie (Hames) Mullally in Le Mars, Iowa. He enjoyed his childhood with his large family there. After high school, Larry served as the mess sergeant in Colorado Springs for the Army National Guard from 1968-1971. Larry’s love of cooking and entrepreneurship was fostered through his involvement in the family’s restaurant, Lally’s Eastside, alongside his dad, mom, and siblings. In 1971, he ventured to Vermillion, South Dakota where he became the successful manager of the Derby Gas Station until 1975. He then moved his young family back to LeMars until 1976 when they moved to Aurelia, Iowa and was employed at the Chesterman Coca-Cola Co. In 1979, his love of cooking lured him to purchase the Lally’s Café in Marcus, Iowa. It was at this point he and his wife’s reputation as successful restaurant owners began to flourish. In 1983, he purchased the infamous Pantry Café in Storm Lake, Iowa where he successfully blessed the town with great food and sense of community for 15 years until 1998. He pursued his dream of having a steak house and purchased the landmark dinner club, The Golden Pheasant, until his retirement in September of 2019. Throughout these years, Larry rarely slowed down and contrary to most people he didn’t enjoy the idleness of retirement however his wife wouldn’t let him go back to work. He was revered for being a supreme and mainly self-taught chef. Larry treasured any opportunity that he could teach his trade and share his talent to all of his proteges. Larry fell in love with Jo Ellen “Ellen”, while working at Lally’s Eastside. They were married on July 27, 1968 in Strubel, Iowa and lived a full and happy life together for the next 54 1/2 years. This is quite an accomplishment as they worked as partners in the business for all those years. He loved being dragged to the casinos with Jo Ellen and wanted to know where she was at any moment of the day. Larry and Jo Ellen were blessed with four children: Missy, Mindy, Melea, and Mike. Larry could be found sitting in his rocking chair in the garage smoking a cigar, watching numerous sporting games. He especially loved when the Vikings or Huskers were playing. His whole life he was in pursuit of the perfect television set up and spent hours of his time fiddling with the TV and remote attempting to master it all. He was Larry the Cableguy! More than anything, Larry treasured time spent with his family. He was proud to be a Mullally and loved his Irish and Luxemburg heritage. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. They were the best at everything and could do no wrong. He was a faithful attendee to grandkids’ activities. He loved to teach his children and grandchildren the game of golf and he had an amazing short game. He was proud of his hole-in-one at Lake Creek. Larry had a gift of putting people under his wings and guiding them. He would always give people a chance, and the door was always open. Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Jo Ellen (Gotto) Mullally of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Missy (Dale) Simmons of Hudson, Wisconsin; Mindy (Cory) Weiland of Storm Lake, Iowa; Melea (Jason) Raveling of Storm Lake, Iowa; Mike (Stephanie) Mullally of Hudson, Wisconsin; brothers: Tom (Patty) Mullally of LeMars, Iowa; sisters: Margene Geary of Hopkins, Minnesota; Susie (Rocky) Bunjes of LeMars, Iowa; Karen (Mike) Pommier of Winterset, Iowa; JoAnn (Horn) Singer of LeMars, Iowa; Margie Davis of LeMars, Iowa; Malea (Kim) Penne of LeMars, Iowa; brother-in-law: David Klave of LeMars, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Nancy Mullally of LeMars, Iowa; Karen Hager of LeMars, Iowa; Marlene (Mike) Gengler of LeMars, Iowa; Vicki (Jeff) Lamp of LeMars, Iowa; grandchildren: Alex, Tanner, Mari Simmons of Hudsen, Wisconsin; Cade, Carter, Makenly Weiland of Storm Lake, Iowa; Ben and Maddy Jo Raveling of Storm Lake, Iowa; Brayden and Aspen Mullally of Hudsen, Wisconsin; extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Mike and Marie Mullally; parents-in-law: Ben and Loretta Gotto; brother: Mike Jr (Judy) Mullally; Ronnie Mullally; Peter Mullally; sister: Laura Klave; brothers-in-law: Joe Geary; Buzz Gotto; sisters-in-law: Linda Hemmelrick; Donna Hoffman; grandson: Conner Weiland; his nephew: Billy Bunjes; and niece: Mariah Davis.

Larry T. Mullally

May 10, 1945 - January 29, 2023