Memorial
Larry McGrath died on July 12th, 2026. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, in Cedar Rapids, IA, with a vigil service beginning at 5:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23rd, at St. Matthew Catholic Church; 2310 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Inurnment will be held privately at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Jo. He was later preceded in death by his dear friend and companion, Ruthie Schuller. Larry and Jo are survived by their children, Mary (Bill) Cornelis, Kate (Vince) Douglas, John McGrath, David (Laurie) McGrath; ten grandchildren, Katie Jo (Eric) Cornelis, Sarah (Chris) Palmer, Laura (Ray) Orris, Tim Cornelis, Justin (Kate) Lievens, Noah (Kassy) Lievens, Caroline (Ethan) Padway, Allie (Jordan) Powell, Will McGrath, and Libby McGrath; and fifteen great grandchildren.
Larry was born on a farm in Clay Center, Kansas, in the depths of the Great Depression, on September 30, 1927. He was the youngest of six children born to Irish immigrants Edward and Rose McGrath. His mother died six months after his birth and Larry was brought to Cedar Rapids, Iowa by his aunt, Margaret McGrath McAughan, wife of Daniel McAughan. He was raised there by Margaret and Daniel and attended the former Immaculate Conception School from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1945. Larry enrolled at the University of Iowa in June of that year, was subsequently drafted into the US Army, returned to the university upon completion of his service in 1948, and graduated in 1950.
Larry and Jo were married on December 30, 1950. Larry served as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for several years, working for the Chicago office in Iowa and Illinois, before becoming a founding officer, in 1957, of what was then City National Bank in Cedar Rapids. He later joined and rose to executive vice president of Peoples Bank and Trust Company, which later became Norwest Bank and is today Wells Fargo Bank. Larry retired from banking in 1989.
Larry and Jo opened their hearts and provided comfort, love, and hospitality to relatives, friends and strangers alike. Their historic home in southeast Cedar Rapids was always full and their table always crowded. Larry dedicated himself to numerous community organizations, was a civil rights activist, and served as a trustee of the Churches of St. Matthew and St. Pius X. He was involved early in efforts to consolidate LaSalle and Regis High Schools into what is now Xavier Catholic High School.
Larry and Jo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their Florida residence in 2000 in the company of their children and grandchildren. Jo passed away in September of 2001. Larry enjoyed traveling, learning, classical music, theater, history, reading, snow skiing, cycling and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He rode RAGBRAI for many years and continued most of his activities well into his 90’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cottage Grove Place Employee Appreciation Fund or Hospice of Mercy.