Larry Martin Peterson, 74, Pierre, went peacefully with the Lord at home with his family on January 26, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Monday, February 1, 2021 at Faith Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be held at 11:30am (MST), Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

How does one honor such a loving, selfless, understanding, and patient son, brother, husband, father, grand-father, uncle, and friend the way he deserves?
On July 21, 1946, in Huron, SD, Alfred and Dorothy (Heller) Peterson welcomed Larry, a bouncing baby boy, into the world. Larry and his family spent most of their younger lives in Sanborn County, SD. They made a couple short moves to Kansas and Wyoming, but always came home and settled in with their large family of 9. He graduated from Woonsocket Senior High in 1965.

Larry enlisted in the United States Army in April 1969. In 1971 he went to South Vietnam as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He returned home in 1972 and was Honorably Discharged in March 1975. He was a Sergeant (E5) in his military career and received the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

When he returned, he had some short moves and settled at home with his family. In 1984 he graduated from the Northwest College of Commerce in Huron, SD, with an Accounting Degree. With the exception of tax season, he needed more, and went into the world as a laborer and woodworker.
On September 4, 1982 Larry married his soul mate Robin (Patridge). Not only did he become a husband that day, Larry chose to be a dad to four year old Laura. In 1984 their daughter Bobbi Jo was born and in 1991 Kristen was born as a niece but became their youngest daughter. In adulthood he gained two honorary daughters Mel McCoy and Jennifer Diodene. Still, outnumbered, waiting on boys.

In 1992 the family moved “out west to the hills” until 1995 when they moved to Pierre until Robin could retire…he was still waiting.

In 1998 he got promoted to a grandpa and finally got a Boy! That was Dequari Jennings. Babies kept coming to the best grandpa ever! Nastassja Jennings was born in 2000, Ain Peterson in 2004, Joseph Peterson in 2006, Kahne Muller in 2007, and Brekken Grayeda in 2020. It still kept going with his honorary grandkids Kimberly and Savanna Heinig, Harrison, Ella, and Lennon Boe, Destinee and Oakely Diodene, Troy and Kris Jensen, and sweet Alex.

While Larry loved his family with his whole being, he found time for other loves. He had magic hands that could create beautiful things out of any piece of wood. He created a cradle that has been used by every baby since Bobbi Jo, a boom box Halloween costume for Laura, and hundreds of other things over the years. He remodeled their homes per Robin’s honey do lists, of course. Writing, small paintings, and Native American beadwork occupied his hands at other times. He and his brothers enjoyed Black Powder Guns, hunting, and fishing together. He took pride in taking his daughters hunting, except Laura, who wanted to know what we went to a corn field for. He enjoyed taking a nice drive – especially in the hills. He was always looking for a good place to fish and usually had a daughter or grandchild tagging along. This past summer he was so happy to teach Joseph how to fly fish. For many years you could find him at almost every auction, and everyone was so excited to see the new treasures. When his time wasn’t occupied with one of his many projects, you could find him buried in a good book, smoking a cigarette, and drinking a coke or coffee.

In his last days he was reaching. We asked him what he was reaching for and his response was always the same…I’m trying to touch the string. We believe he was fly fishing and when he touched that string his mom and dad, brothers Marvin and Mark, sister Maureen, father-in-law Bob, mother-in law-Joyce, sister-in-law Pat, son-in-law Randy, grandparents and other loved ones were there to take him home.
Larry is survived by his wife Robin of 38 years, daughters Laura (Rob & Tony), Bobbi Jo (Rick) and Kristen (Jason), grandchildren, nieces and great nieces, nephews and great nephews, brothers Ricky, Leroy (Myrna) , and Duane (Fran) , in laws Judy (Bob), Steven (Carol), Aletha (Don), and Glenda.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse