Larry R. Sabata

Larry R. Sabata passed away in his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born November 3rd, 1951 in David City, Nebraska to Leonard Sabata and Martha Hula.

Larry obtained his B.S. in Soil Science from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1974. He was first hired by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to perform soil mapping for Clinton County in Iowa in 1974 and was assigned the task of drawing soil lines on aerial maps. It was a dream job for him. Over his 39 years with NRCS he completed mapping for six different county soil surveys in Iowa and Illinois. He spent five years as a District Soil Conservationist in Wyoming and Minnesota. After that, he worked in Topeka as a Resource Soil Scientist for the Manhattan Area Office until his retirement in November 2016.

Larry truly enjoyed spending time with his family, he also enjoyed watching Nebraska football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Another of his great passions was gardening and for the last 20 years he grew and propagated cannas. He had about 25 different varieties of cannas, including a number of cultivars he started himself. He enjoyed reading and was especially interested in historical geology and paleontology. He had a nice collection of unique rocks used within his home landscaping.

Larry married Lois Ann Schumacher on August 23rd, 1986 in Sterling, Illinois and they were married for 30 years, she survives. Other survivors include one daughter Cassandra M Sabata of the home, two brothers Galen Sabata (Carla Anania) and Wayne Sabata (Robin) both of David City Nebraska. He was preceded in death by both his parents.

He was cremated and celebration of life services will be held at later date this summer in Topeka, Kansas and at a later date in Sterling, Illinois.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Francis Cancer Center, Midland Hospice House or Christ the King Catholic Church, all in Topeka, Kansas.