Larry J. Hejlik

Larry J. Hejlik, 76, of Altoona, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan with Fr. Marr officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan with a luncheon to follow in the basement of the church.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner with a parish rosary at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor and directed to the Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010 to benefit the University Library Strategic Fund – 1428212 or online at http://www.foundation.iastate.edu (select “Give Now” then select “University Library” as unit or college, and “University Library Strategic Fund”).

Larry Joseph Hejlik was born March 4, 1949, in Forest City, Iowa, to Ralph and Vlasta “Flossie” (Psotka) Hejlik. He grew up in Garner, where he graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1967. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Operations (1972) and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering (1979) from Iowa State University. As a proud Cyclone, he later served as an instructor at Iowa State University while pursuing his master’s. In 1979, Larry and two of his brothers (Ralph Hejlik Jr. and Robert Hejlik) shared the unique distinction where three brothers graduated with their master's degrees on the same day from Iowa State University, a milestone never before documented in the history at the university.

Larry’s professional career in engineering began with Iowa Mold Tooling Company in Garner, Iowa where he spent 28 years, initially as a design engineer, then later as Vice President of Engineering. Larry then spent the next 18 years as a Principal Engineer at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he focused on product development and liability until his retirement in 2018.

Larry enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially cherished summers at Spirit Lake, spending winters in Texas, driving his Triumph TR6, riding his Harley-Davidson, traveling, golfing, reading, line dancing, and playing pickleball. He loved cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones and the Green Bay Packers, as well as, attending his grandchildren's many activities.

Larry and his former wife, Cindy (Thompson) Hejlik-Burrage raised 5 children in Garner, Iowa, until 2000. During this time, he served 14 years on the school board for the Garner-Hayfield Community Schools, many as board president. The family then moved to Slinger, Wisconsin. After retiring, he moved to the Des Moines area in 2019 to be closer to his family.

He is survived by his children, Jason Hejlik and significant other Angie, of Garner, Carrie (Steve) Naber of Des Moines, Jenna (Scott) Britson of Garner, Ashley Hejlik and significant other, Lucas Singleton, of Oaxaca, Mexico, and Lucas Hejlik of Okoboji; grandchildren, Jake Hejlik, Kate Hejlik, Steven Naber II, Isaac Naber, Drew Britson, Sadie Britson, and Kyler Britson; siblings, Audra McEnany of Marion, Iowa, retired Lieutenant General, Dennis (Sandy) Hejlik of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mary Best of West Des Moines, Robert Hejlik of Ankeny, and Greg (Mary) Hejlik of Bonita Springs, Florida; sisters-in-law, Sally Hejlik of Britt and Char Hejlik of Altoona; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Vlasta (Flossie) Hejlik; brothers, Gary Hejlik, Kenny Hejlik and Ralph Hejlik Jr.; brothers-in-law, Larry Best and Jim McEnany; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Hejlik.