Visitation: Visitation will be Monday from 2-8 p.m., family present from 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.
Service: Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 9 at Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, SD. Private family burial will take place prior to the service.
Canton, SD- Larry Niebuhr, age 67, died Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center. Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 9 at Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, SD. Private family burial will take place prior to the service. Visitation will be Monday from 2-8 p.m., family present from 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.
Larry was born July 20, 1948 at Primghar, Iowa to Wesley and LaVerne (Meyer) Niebuhr. He graduated from Paullina (Iowa) High School in 1967. Larry served in the US Army from 1968 to 1973. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for a year.
Larry married Elaine Simunek August 15, 1970 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview, SD. They moved from Clarksville, TN to Canton in 1974, when Larry started a custom hay stacking business. He joined the Nebraska Army National Guard Medivac in 1981. He was employed by Omniflight and was instrumental in setting up Careflight program at Avera Hospital. His guard unit was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. In 1994 he left the Nebraska Guard and was designated to inactive Ready Reserve. He then worked for Eastern Farmers and Nordlie Organ Builders. In 2002 he joined the South Dakota Army Reserves and was activated during Iraqi Freedom training troops to go overseas in 2003. He retired in 2005 after 20 years of service. He then drove semi for Paul Evanson and retired in 2011. After retirement, he enjoyed helping friends with their harvesting of crops.
Larry was an active member of Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton VFW, Hudson American Legion, and the Sky Hawks Flying Club. He enjoyed getting to know people, tending to his farm ground, hunting with his brother and son, working on his home, and camping and spending time with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Zoe.
Larry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elaine; his son, Corey; granddaughter, Zoe; mother, LaVerne Niebuhr; sister, Linda (Dan) Mickalowski; brother-in-law, Rich (Jan) Fonder; sister-in-law, Lea Niebuhr, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Wesley, brother, David, and sister, Diane Fonder.
Memorials will be directed to Corey Briest of Yankton, a Veteran wounded while serving in Iraq.
www.andersonandsonsfh.com
Elaine and Corey,
I am so sorry for your loss Larry was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. Hugs to your family
Sorry for your loss Corey! Thinking of you guys. Lots of hugs!
Dear Elaine and Corey,
My deepest sympathy to you both. May you rest and find comfort in the Lord’s promise of everlasting life. I am praying for Larry and you.
God bless Larry.
Warmly,
Renee Mekvold
Classmates and best man at your wedding, now here we stand. We are so sorry for your loss but firmly believe God is holding you close and will guide you all in the days ahead. God bless some of Larry’s greatest blessings, Elaine and his cherished son Corey and family.
To the Family of Larry Niebuhr,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I served by Larry’s side during OEF as his NCOIC. His knowledge and experience as a MEDEVAC pilot was invaluable as we prepared Soldiers to do their duty, and to save lives.
He will be remembered by many of us.
Bruce Blankley
To Elaine, Corey, Zoe and Family of Larry Niebuhr,
My sincere sympathy to all of you at this time. For me, Larry represented what is the best of the Heartland of America. A son of the soil he did extraordinary things on behalf of the land, people and family that he loved…he will be missed.
May God hold you all in the hollow of HIS hand.
Monte Reeves
Elaine, Corey and family –
Sorry for the loss of Larry, beloved Son, Husband and Father. I remember the good times we had with Larry and your family over the many years of getting together for family reunions and other visits.
Doug and Jannelle Hall
Elaine and Corey, sorry for your lose. I didn’t know Larry very well. Got to know him with his visits with Harold during our chats in the garage. I know he was a good husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all. Never said this to him, but Thank You Larry for your service to your and our country. May God Bless You!!
Elaine and family, I was very sad in reading about Larry’s passing. Larry was always good to me when I worked in Canton many years ago. I will miss Larry’s unique style and his ability to see issues without letting his emotions interfer. May God bless you and your family.