Larry Alvar Walsh

Larry Alvar Walsh, age 90, was called home to God and passed away peacefully on October 29th at Grand Rapids MN. He was born on December 17, 1933 in Deer River MN to Harry Walsh and Gertrude Walsh. He grew up in the Deer River area and was a 1952 graduate of Deer River High School.

He married Nancy Mae Box on November 5, 1955 in Deer River and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in November 2000, a few months before Nancy’s passing. He married Joyce Klenotich in 2016.

Larry served in the U.S. Air Force and later began a long career working for the city of Edina MN as a manager in its municipal liquor sales department. Larry was very outgoing, responsible, and kind in his relationships with his employees and customers. Larry’s family was his first passion, and he was always quick-witted and sassy, with the ability to bring a smile to those around him.

Larry was also a man of great faith, and an extraordinary, loving believer in Jesus Christ. He was unconditionally grateful and thankful to the Lord for the life he had. Words cannot express how deeply he was loved by his family and how much we will miss him.

He is survived by his wife Joyce; children Cathy (Doug) De Bono, Dennis (Kim) Walsh, Sandy (Joe) Gores, and Susy (Jeff) Ayers; stepsons Mark (Diane) Klenotich, Ed (Cathy) Klenotich, and Bob (Gail) Klenotich; grandchildren & spouses Amanda & Dan Holzmer, Ben & Annie De Bono, Amy & Greg Zytka, Alex & Gabbi Ayers, and Jill Ayers; and 15 great-grandchildren: Jada, Ethan, Zachary, Micah, Nathaniel, & Kaylan Holzmer; Ellie, Owen, Charles, Heidi, Neil, Lauren, & Peter De Bono; and Simon & Jakub Zytka. He was preceded in death by his father Harry and mother Gertrude, and by siblings Raymond, Lyle, Donald, Ethel, & Viola.

Larry’s family wishes to profusely thank the staff at Grand Village & St. Croix Hospice - he was continually the favorite resident in Grand Village – as well as his pastors and friends at First Evangelical Lutheran and the doctors from Fairview for being so wonderful and treating our dad with such kindness and care.

Family, friends, and others are invited to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 735 NE 1st Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 on November 8th (10 am visitation/11 am service) to reminisce and honor the life of Larry.

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