Lawrence “Larry” Hartze, Sr.
Lawrence “Larry” Michael Hartze, Sr., 69, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023, at his home.
Lawrence Michael Hartze was born May 30, 1953, in Aberdeen, SD to Michael and Annie (Imberi) Hartze. Larry grew up on a farm near Richmond, SD attending Bigler Country School through the sixth grade. The family made the move to Aberdeen in 1966. Larry continued school at St. Mary’s Parochial School and Monroe Junior High School before attending Central High School through the tenth grade.
It was in tenth-grade biology class where he would meet the love of his life, Gloria Jean Peterson. Their young love blossomed through dates to the movies and roller skating. On September 11, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD. Larry and Gloria were married for 52 beautiful years of laughter and love. During their years together, they were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Larry’s greatest joy was being a family man—husband, father, and grandfather.
Larry was a very hard and dedicated worker always ensuring his family was well taken care of. He spent twenty-plus years working in various farming jobs and was self-employed in sales for 33 years, until his death. Larry also enjoyed spending time in the garage working on various mechanical projects. He was most proud of his Cockshutt and Co-op tractor collection and taking care of his lawn.
Larry was a people person and loved talking with people. Almost every day, he could be found at Marlin’s at the “Table of Knowledge” chatting with guys from all over about various topics regarding mechanics, farming, sales, and his family. Larry was a very intelligent and curious man who was always learning more about the way things worked, food, nature, etc. He loved watching the Food Network and Discovery Channel, and he read the “Green Sheet” every Friday to keep up with what was new in the farming world. Most of all, he loved keeping in touch with his family through random phone calls to check up on each person.
Blessed to have shared Larry’s life are his wife of 52 years, Gloria Hartze; his children: Paula (Tom) Keller, Larry (Amy) Hartze, Jr., and Bobbi (Gene Wiek) Dunlavy; his grand-children: Cody (Lyndsey) Keller, Dillon Swanson, Tyler (Peyten Gelinske) Swanson, and Garrett Swanson; his siblings: Lana (Bruce Hoffman) Thompson, Loretta Hartze, Leo (Marianne) Hartze, Laura (Wes) Job; and several nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Annie; one brother, Leonard; and one infant grandson, Russell.