Larry Fruhwirth

Larry Fruhwirth, 77, Bismarck, passed away on January 21, 2018, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck, with his family by his side. Services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 26, at First Lutheran Church, 800 N 7th St., Bismarck, with Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday, January 25, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Burial will be held at Linton City Cemetery at 1:30 pm Friday. Larry was born April 7, 1940, on the Matt Laber farm 5 ½ miles south and 1 mile east of Sykston, ND, to Francis F. and Florence M. (Werner) Fruhwirth. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Sykston. He attended Melville School #4, south of Carrington from grades 1-5, grades 6-8 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic grade school in Sykston and graduated from Sykston High School in 1959. After high school Larry entered the US Army and spent 19 months in Germany in the Karlsruhe area with the 17th Signal Support Bn. Co.B. He was honorably discharged in 1961. Larry went back to Sykston and worked for his uncle and in 1962 moved to Bismarck. He worked various jobs including at Eddy’s Bakery and Andy’s Mobile. In 1963, Larry met the love of his life, Corrine Wagner. They were married on March 21, 1964, at Peace Lutheran Church in Linton, ND. In 1965, Larry moved his family 15 miles north of Bismarck to live and work for the Warren Reid farm and cattle and ranch. There he spent the next ten years. In 1976, Larry started working for Peavey Elevator in Bismarck. Over the years he did every job there was to do in the elevator. He could tell you the name of any farmer/rancher within a 75 mile radius of Bismarck, how much land they owned, where they owned it, what they raised and grew on it, and the fertilizer they used on it! Larry retired from Heartland Elevator in 2002. Larry enjoyed the outdoors; he could always find something to do outside. In his retirement, he worked for Lincoln Oaks Nursery and spent the past nine summers cutting grass for Bismarck Parks and Rec- Larry said that was the best job he ever had. Larry met a great group of guys cutting grass that eventually turned into a Wednesday morning coffee group at Expressway McDonalds. Larry’s grandchildren were everything to him. He was so proud of them and loved telling them stories of his army days and of when he was growing up. Dad was always there to help whenever we needed it. He had a twinkle in his eye and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He enjoyed taking care of his yard, feeding the birds, pheasants, and deer that came into the yard. He also enjoyed reading, watching movies and documentaries that had anything to do with military history and the old west, especially if it had John Wayne in it, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. Dad, you are and will be forever missed. You were truly one in a million. Love you and God bless you. Larry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and Jim Werner, Bismarck; his son, Mark, Bismarck; his four grandchildren, Tyler and Kali Werner, Bismarck, Nicholas Fruhwirth, USMC, Yuma, AZ, and Kaine Fruhwirth, Bismarck; his mother, Florence, Bismarck; his sister, Sharon Mathena and special friend, Terry Teschner, Ryderwood, WA; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Lowell and Julie, Bismarck, Cletus and Vicki, Britt, IA, Werner, Denver, CO, Loren and Jill, Lakewood, CO; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pauline Tschritter, Linton, ND, Ruben Wagner, Elmer and Marge Wagner, all of Bismarck, Arlene Wagner, Linton, ND, Ray and Mary Wagner, Rapid City, SD; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Corrine in 2009; his father, Francis; his nephew, Jimmy; one grandniece; two grandnephews; brothers-in-law, Jake Tschritter and Harold Wagner; and sisters-in-law, Frances Wagner. Dad, you set your goal to be home by the end of February, but God and mama wanted you more. The family would like to say a special thank you to the 4th floor Stroke/Oncology Unit Nurses, CNA’s, and Doctors, the Transitional Care Unit Nurses, CNA’s , and Therapists, the ICU, nurse Bryce, you are truly blessed, and the doctors and anyone else who was involved with dad’s care.