Larry Dennis

Larry J. Dennis died peacefully in Fargo, ND on July 15th, 2024 at the age of 86. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. (CDT), Friday, August 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N 4th St, Bismarck. To view the service livestream, click this link Live Stream - Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, North Dakota (trinitybismarck.com)

Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. (CDT), Friday, August 16 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. 

Larry was born on June 21, 1938 in Fargo, son of the late Lawrence ‘Pat’ and Thora Dennis. He received his early education in Bismarck and higher education at NDSU, US Army Advanced Engineer School in Virginia and Command and General Staff College at University of Reno.

He married Edna James in 1960 in Bismarck. He was the love of her life. They had three children, Kim (Dennis) Timmers, Michael Dennis and Jeffrey Dennis. Their family home in Bismarck was built in 1963 at the edge of town. Edna and Larry lived their entire married life in that home with the exception of time in the military service. The family enjoyed many summer weekends at Lake Tschida boating, sailing, and waterskiing. Edna and Larry bought a second home in Prenton, England and spent most winters there for 27 years.

Larry was employed by the North Dakota Department of Transportation for 34 years designing interstate highways and municipal arterial roadways throughout the state including several major projects in Bismarck. Additionally, he served 38 years in the North Dakota Army National Guard as a Company Commander, Battalion Commander, and Troop Commander at the state level retiring in 1991 as a Colonel.

Larry was an active member of the Board of Deacons of Trinity Lutheran Church serving as Chairman for several years. He also served as Chair of Scouting, Men of the Church, and Community Thanksgiving Service at the church. He designed the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery and oversaw its construction. Hobbies included traveling with family, golfing with Edna and golfing with friends

Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edna; two children, Kim (Rick) Timmers and Michael (Kristen) Dennis; two grandchildren, Emma and Joseph and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jeffrey; and his brother, Terry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church (TrinityBismarck.com) or the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery Foundation (NDVCF.org/donor-info).