Service Information
Larry Severts, age 76, of Fairfax, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, December 4, 2021, 11:00 A.M. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax.
Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard.
Obituary
Larry Dean Severts was born on October 1, 1945, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Herman and Evelyn (Paetznick) Severts. He was the fifth of six children, (Marshall, Zona, Alan, Judy, and Dianne.)
Larry grew up on a small farm where he learned the importance of self-reliance and hard work. After graduating from Middle River High School and attending Thief River Falls Technical College, Larry’s plans were interrupted by an invitation from Uncle Sam. While waiting for the start of boot camp, he met a dark-eyed beauty named Karen Anderson of Long Prairie. They married on December 18, 1965, and moved to San Diego to finish out Larry’s tour of duty with the Navy.
In 1967, Larry and Karen returned to Minnesota. Having learned enough about hardscrabble farming to know it wasn’t for him, Larry studied and then taught computer programming before joining Honeywell Corporation in 1968. Eight years later, Larry felt like he needed to break free. Knowing nothing about running a business, and even less about bowling, Larry and Karen purchased Fairfax Lanes and moved to Fairfax in the summer of 1976.
For 37 years, Larry spent more waking hours in the bowling alley than he did at home. It was hard work, but it was also the center stage of his life, a place where he could raise his boys, spend countless hours with his good friends, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with Karen.
In the last decade of his career, Larry took a second job as a mail carrier, delivering packages and good cheer to homes throughout rural Franklin. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night could keep him from making his deliveries, but he was waylaid a few times by his rusty Jeep, causing him to finally concede that he might have some use for a cell phone.
Larry needed to stay active when not working. Sometimes that activity looked a lot like work as he continually refurbished his home and business. But he also found time to bowl, golf, shoot trap and read every paperback Western ever written. Once an avid hunter, Larry developed over the years a soft heart for animals. He was never happier than when scratching a pup’s ears.
Larry was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015. Throughout his decline, he kept a positive attitude and enjoyed the good parts of life. He and Karen wintered in Florida where they could walk everyday in the sunshine. During the Minnesota summers, he worked in his gardens, producing flowers and vegetables for the neighborhood. In all seasons, he refused to pity himself, instead laughing at his memory slip-ups and adapting to the new limits the disease imposed on him.
Larry is survived by his:
Wife of 55 years, Karen Severts;
Two Sons, Jeff (Ahna) Severts of Chicago, IL and
Chad (Nikki) Severts of Bemidji, MN;
4 Grandchildren, Ava, Alex, Mara and Isaac;
Sisters, Judy Hill and Dianne Kenworthy;
Brother, Alan (Sandy) Severts of Gatzke, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Janna (Bob) Floerke, Debra (Herb) VanValkenburg;
Brother-in-law, Blair (Marchell) Anderson;
Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his Parents, Herman and Evelyn Severts; Sister, Zona Paine; Brother, Marshall (Bonnie) Severts; Sister-in-law, Nancy Hanson; and Brother-in-law, Gordy Hill.
We miss this great man, and we ask that you remember him with a moment of silence when you next bowl a game.
Deb Kohout says
Karen, Thinking of you and sending prayers and hugs.
Karen says
Thank you, Deb. We are blessed to have lots of great memories.
Nancy J Beltz says
Karen ~~~
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers !
Nancy & Richard Beltz
Karen says
Thank you so much!
VERN & AUDREY CHRESTENSEN says
KAREN:
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT LARRY PASSING. CONDOLENCE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Karen says
It’s so good to hear from you. Hope you are both healthy and able to be with your family during the holidays.
Troy Lund says
Prayers and condolences for the family. Larry was a great and kind man.
Karen says
Thank you Troy. Larry enjoyed all of the customers who came through the doors, especially the young ones.
Connie says
Karen and family,
I am so sorry about your loss. Larry was a wonderful person. Always willing to help out. Got my best bowling scores with balls he drilled for me. May he Rest In Peace
Connie Cotterman
Karen says
Larry did so enjoy fitting and drilling bowling balls and hearing about the high scores bowled.
Carol Brown says
Karen Jeff, and Chad,
You have our sympathy. Larry was great guy and I know you will miss him. I wish I could be there. We have a lot of good memories. May the good Lord bless you at this time. Take care.
Carol and Ben
Karen says
Thank you for the kind words. I believe the service will be on Facebook or zoom if you would like to watch.
kari says
Aunt Karen, Jeff and Chad,
I am so sorry for your loss of Larry. I know he will be deeply missed. I envision him and my dad bowling and telling stories now.
Diana Lux says
Karen,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I wish I could be there to give you a hug. Diana
Karen says
Thanks Diana. We were very blessed to have a lot of very good years. Hi to Tom. Char did know Larry through Nancy many years ago.
Norene VanValkenburg says
I am so sorry for your loss. Larry was so special. Keeping you, Larry and your family in my prayers.
Dan Palmer says
Karen, Jeff and Chad,
Larry was a great person in so many wonderful ways. We will always treasure great memories of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan & Janelle
Karen says
Thanks Dan. You were one of the “special “ junior bowlers who actually listened to Larry’s coaching and were respectful too. Hi to Janelle and family.
Paul Lyndgaard says
Karen: I’m sorry to hear that Larry has passed away. You and I both know he is home in heaven. Love you.
Karen says
Thank you, Paul. We will miss him but are thankful for all the good years. Have a great winter in Arizona.
Fred Kohanek says
Karen,
I just heard about Larry’s passing He was such a good man when we were together years ago and I was so lucky to know him!!! You have my deepest sympathy and peace be with you dear!!! Wishing you the best and may peace be with you soon!!!!
Fred Kohanek
Karen says
Thank you Fred. It’s wonderful to hear from old friends at this time. Larry’s Honeywell friends were always special to him.
Cindy Finberg says
My heartfelt sympathies to Larry’s family. Such a wonderful man who I will miss. Thoughts and prayers.
Karen says
Thank you Cindy. What a blessing you and the entire hospice team were during this difficult two month period. You are all angels in disguise.
Dale Burmeister says
Karen and boys, Dianne and I send our sympathy
Karen says
Thank you Dale and Dianne. Hope you are able to enjoy Florida this winter. Every now and then I think of that Lee Greenwood concert we attended together. Fun!
Dale and Gloria Mechels says
Sorry for your loss Karen…thoughts are with you.
Dale and Gloria Mechels
Karen says
Thank you Gloria and Dale. We were blessed to have 50 good years before the diagnosis. Hope you and your family have wonderful holidays.
Juñe Oman says
My sincere sympathy to you and your family. May God’s love and warm memories be with you.
Karen says
Thank you June and Ted. We do have lots of wonderful memories and know he is in a better place.
Pat &. Barb Schmidt says
Karen,
Barb and I just heard of Larry’s passing. Some of our fondest memories came from Fairfax Lanes where we both enjoyed bowling on leagues there. From now on when we hear thunder, we’ll be thinking of Larry at that big bowling alley in the sky. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.
Karen says
Thank you Pat and Barb. It’s so nice to hear from you. Our family is so grateful for the many great years and memories.
Janna Floerke says
Best brother-in-law EVER!
He taught me to shoot! Guns, bow & arrow and a slingshot! That was when I was 8. Then, after I got married and we started bowling, he was again the teacher for both Bob and I.
He let me sit between him and his sweet girlfriend. I was their chaperone. Don’t kid yourself Karen, you may have seen him first but he was crazy about this 8 year old! Lol!
He was just the best to put up with me!
He was so kind.
He will be missed always.
Dale/Lois Captain says
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. You Jeff & Chad & family are in our prayers. Always had a good time at Fairfax Lanes (not always the score), you both were great to be with – fun & fond memories. Blessings to all of you. Dale & Lois Captain
Dale/Lois Captain says
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing, prayers are with you, Jeff & Chad & family. We always had fun at Fairfax Lanes (not always the score), you both were the best welcoming & friends to us. Blessings to you all. Dale & Lois
Savannah Vu says
We really enjoyed the time we spent getting to know Larry and he will be greatly missed at the Cottages! Our deepest sympathies go out to family and friends who loved Larry.
Karen says
Thanks Savannah. Your entire staff treated Larry with such kindness and respect. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness and patience. God bless!
Patrick W GUGGISBERG says
Sorry to hear about Larry. I really enjoyed working with Larry at the Franklin Post Office. Sympathies to you and your family.
Pat Guggisberg
Dennis Kohanek says
Karen,
Our sympathy to you and the boys on Larry’s passing. I had 8 years of working with him at Honeywell. We had a lots of laughs and good times. He was a great guy. Peace be with your family.
Dennis & Andrea Kohanek
Justin Templin says
Chad (and family): I was sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. While I was a pretty average bowler, at best, that season all those years ago, your Dad was always gracious and welcoming to me, and I appreciated that. I hope you can think about the good memories as you mourn his loss. Take care.
Diane & Dennis Hitchcock says
We were so saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. We remember all those fun times during the Honeywell days & our visits out to Fairfax. Take care.
Ruth Benedict says
Karen and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers each day. Larry will be remembered for his kindness, patience, and smile. May God bless his memory.
Joe Mildenberger says
Karen,
I remember the time spent with Honeywell friends. Really enjoyed fishing and trap shooting with Larry. I live in AZ now so don’t see or hear much about MN. Have gone thru illnesses with both families so I know it isn’t easy. Take care.
Joe Mildenberger