Larry Walker Obituary

Larry Alan Walker

July 9, 1946 - February 3, 2025

On February 3, 2025, Larry Alan Walker passed away in Aurora, Neb., at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Carol; their three sons, Jeff, Jason, and Brad; along with their families, which include seven grandchildren: Jeff and Janell (Bonifas) Walker of Lincoln, Neb., and their children, Nolan, Jonah, and Sophia, Jason and Kori (Lane) Walker of Cape Coral, Fla., and their children, Jacob, Samuel, and Emma, and Brad and Misha (Shaffer) Walker of Hastings, Neb., and their daughter, Josie.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, William Edward "Bud" Walker; his mother, Emma Louise (Zafft) Walker; and his older sister, Corinne.

Born on July 9, 1946, in Monticello, Minn., Larry graduated from Madison High School in Madison, S.D., in 1964. He married Carol Ann Fuchs in 1967 in Yankton, S.D. They welcomed their first son, Jeffrey, in 1968, followed by Jason in 1970 and Bradley in 1974.

Larry was a simple, hardworking man who valued a strong work ethic and a commitment to family. As an auto mechanic from his teenage years, his passion was serving others. In the small towns of southeastern South Dakota, Larry worked tirelessly to repair cars, pickups, and heavy farm equipment, ensuring the people in his community could continue tending to their farms and families. His sons remember their father not only for his long hours of hard work but for his genuine enjoyment of the company of those he served: people who, like him, worked hard to provide for their families.

In 1978, Larry moved his family to Schuyler, Neb., where he became a truck driver for Schwann's Ice Cream. Once a year, during "family week," he would take his family along. His sons cherished these times, packing lunch to eat with him, listening to Paul Harvey on the radio, and meeting the people he often spoke about.

Eventually, Larry shifted to a shorter workday and returned to his roots as an auto mechanic at various businesses. Later, he and Carol purchased a small RV park in Springfield, S.D., where Larry "retired." There, he spent his time clearing brush, maintaining the grounds, and socializing with travelers around the campfire.

When Larry was no longer able to manage the physical work, he and Carol moved to Benedict, Neb., in 2014, to be closer to their sons and enjoy a quieter retirement. For the next decade, Larry spent his days tinkering in the garage on his workbench or enjoying the view from the back porch, watching birds at the feeders. He imparted the value of hard work, service to others, and the importance of taking time to enjoy life. Larry often wished for his sons to work "smarter" rather than harder, which is why he sacrificed so much for them to attend college and pursue their dreams.

The family has planned for Larry's ashes to find their final resting place near his parents in Rose Hill Cemetery in Scotland, S.D.