Larry Nelson

Larry Arthur Nelson, 90, passed on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Peaceful Pines Assisted Living in Rapid City. He served in the US Army.

Celebration of Life Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery at Pierre, S.D.

Larry was born on February 28, 1934 to Art and Evalyn Nelson. Larry grew up in the Murdo, S.D area. After finishing high school, he went on to attend college at SMU in Dallas, Texas. In 1953 he decided to attend NCB in Rapid City, S.D. In 1955 he decided to become involved in the family business of running the Nelson’s Super Value grocery store in Murdo. Through mutual friends, Larry was introduced to Virginia McGee, a young girl from the Kennebec, S.D. area and they married in 1955. Together they raised four children: Todd, Mary, Nena, and Lane.

In 1970, Larry and his father sold the family business and moved to Pierre, S.D. He went to work for the South Dakota Highway Department Right of Way Division. In 1972, Larry and Dr. Gordon Diedtrich purchased the Falcon Restaurant and Lounge. Experiencing the restaurant business led him to manage the Pierre Elks Club from 1973-1978.

Larry and long-time friend Gail Miller had many joint business ventures together that expanded many years.

In 1982, Larry married Patricia Keys, making Rapid City their home for 42 years. Together they enjoyed traveling and spending time at the family cabin in Spearfish, S.D.

Larry’s lifetime passion was flying, and he purchased his first plane around 1960 and continued to fly until 2014. One of Larry’s greatest pleasures was serving on the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission, which gave him the opportunity to create many friendships throughout the state.

As people will say, they will always remember him for his friendly personality and joyful laugh! His love for family was very evident, especially towards his final years!

Larry spent his last eight months at Peacefull Pines, with his wife Pat and son Lane, with his family being close by.

Larry is survived by his wife Pat; three children: Todd, Mary, and Lane; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister Phyllis.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Art and Evalyn, daughter Virjean “Nena”, and son-in-law: Glen Kane.