Lawrence R. "Larry" Krankkala, 78, of Iron Belt, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, July 14, 2011, in Ashland.      He was born Aug. 10, 1932, in Iron Belt, son of the late Lauri and Ilona (Eilo) Krankkala, and attended the Iron Belt School from grades 1-12, graduating in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was trained as a gunner on a B-29. He was stationed in Colorado, Kansas, Korea, Okinawa and Japan, and was honorably discharged on July 23, 1956.      Larry worked as a custodian for the Hurley School District for 35 years. He took great pride in his work and often assisted the teachers with their projects.      He was an avid outdoor enthusiast who ran seven marathons-six of which were the Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Iron County, Wis. He also co-directed the Paavo Nurmi Marathon from 1974 through 1976. He skied in five Birkebeiner Nordic ski races at Cable, Wis. and loved riding both mountain and road bicycles. Larry particularly enjoyed kayaking on Alder Creek and Gile Flowage and had a passion for photography and woodworking. His photographs and wood crafts were cherished gifts. He established, cleared and maintained the Krankkala Spur Cross Country Trail from Iron Belt to the North Country Trail. He was a gentle man who quietly and effectively touched so many lives.   To say he will be missed is an understatement. "And so we place you in God's hands and know that He above will care for you and give you peace as we leave you with our love."      Surviving him are two children, Karen (Gary) Ryskewecz, Ironwood, Mich., and Todd (Nancie) Krankkala, Hailey, Idaho; two grandchildren, Scott Lawrence Krankkala, Gunnison, Colo., and Michele Lorain Krankkala, Hailey; a brother, Donald Krankkala, Anthem Ariz., and sister, Ilona Jean Tracy, Zion, Ill.; his former wife, Judy Lake, of Ironwood; an aunt, Ivy Krankkala, Iron Belt; and two nieces, three nephews, and several cousins.      Besides his parents, Larry was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria Buccanero; and two brothers, Gordon and Douglas Krankkala.      At the family's request, cremation has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 19, at 1 p.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Dr. Ardyth Kovacevich Johnson officiating.      Committal and inurnment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Iron Belt, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.      Friends may call at the funeral home from noon until the time of service on Tuesday.      To view Larry's obituary online, sign his guestbook or express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to Mckevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.