Larry W. Petersen, 77 of Spearfish, South Dakota passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11 ^th , 2021, surrounded by his family in Spearfish.

Larry was born in Sioux City, Iowa to Clarence and Edna Petersen, being their first out of seven children. He was Baptized on April 9, 1943, and Confirmed on May 25, 1958, at St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sioux City. When he became a teenager, he started working at a grain mill, working long hours with little pay.  Even at a young age he worked hard and loved working with his hands.  Larry attended Central High School in Sioux City and was part of the class of '63.  At a young age, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves being a sailor for five years.  Then he enlisted in the Air Force Active duty as an aircraft sheet metalist, for 22 years he served his country proudly even fighting for it in the Vietnam War.  After a couple of years of being in the Air Force, he had a civilian job as a Maintenance Personal at the local hospital where he met the love of his life, Janet.

She was working as an aid at that time.  By June 1 ^st , 1968, they were married in St. Paul Lutheran Church.  They were blessed with their 1 ^st child the following year.  Within 16 years they had four more children.  Through many hardships and good times, they stayed strong and instilled that strength within their children.  After almost 30 years of having their own children and a few grandchildren later; they opened their arms to a grandson and shortly adopted him as their own. Larry was proud to serve his country and his family.  He did the best he could in everything he did.  He was a perfectionist, a great mathematician, stern but an outgoing person.  Larry had strong faith in God and in the Lutheran church.  In some ways he was a man of very few words but until you strike up a subject that piqued his interest, he would talk with you for hours.  His fondest memories are of his grandchildren.  He was not only proud to be a father, but he was so happy to be a grandfather; probably because he could give the child back to the parent after he spoiled them.  Larry believed family was the most important thing in life.  That's why he and his wife dedicated their lives to their family.  They were blessed to have them just as much as they were blessed to have a family.

Larry was part of the VFW and the American Legion.  He liked to gamble just to see those high-dollar chips.  He loved teaching and shooting with his children and grandchildren.  Larry also loved the time he got to spend with his son-in-law fishing.  He was even interested in classic old-timey cars and sports cars of now a days.  He just loved going to all the car rallies.  Larry was interested in so many things but the top three would be eagles, aircraft, and anything else that deals with him working with his hands.  There were so many things he accomplished in life such as he was enlisted for five years as a sailor in the Navy and 22 years in the Air Force succeeding as a Staff Sergeant with so many certifications in both branches.  He found the love of his life and had five children of his own with a grandchild that was a bonus.  Larry has 12 grandchildren that he helped a lot with and was there to witness half of them grow up.  He loved to fixed things and make things look brand new again.  He loved working with his hands in general. Larry did receive his high school diploma and went to Wayne Community College to further his education. As he traveled with the military, he was able to see so much and even believed he went around the world a few times.

Larry is survived by his five children; Shelly Petersen of Spearfish, SD, Ann Marie (Robert) Wilhelm of Spearfish, SD, Melissa Johnston of North Carolina, Wayne (Tammy) Petersen Bangor, WI, Michelle Demma of Spearfish, SD and Anthony (Ellie) Petersen of Holmen, WI.  He was also survived by his 11 other grandchildren: Joseph Petersen (Rapid City, SD), Katie Wilhelm (Trevor Keyne) of Walker, MI, Carolyn Petersen of Colorado Springs, CO, Kiana Moore-Petersen, Michael Petersen, Victoria Wilhelm, Lee Ann Johnston, Samantha Demma, Aden Petersen, August Petersen, and Cameron Petersen.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet Petersen, his parents Clarence and Edna Petersen, in-laws Emil and Lucy Kamradt, brother Edward Petersen, baby sisters Dianne and Cheryl Petersen, and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Larry will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish on Tuesday, February 16 ^th , 2021 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow for the immediate fami ly at Black Hills National Cemetery. All other family members and friends are welcomed to gather at the Spearfish VFW for a luncheon.

Arrangements are under the care of the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com