Larry Dean Fossum was born on March 4, 1950 to his parents George and Hazel (Wedger) Fossum. He passed away on October 18, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND with his loving family by his side.
Larry was baptized and confirmed at Clearwater Lutheran Church northeast of Oklee. He attended Oklee school and graduated with the class of 1970.
Larry was a welder at Arctic Cat and a test driver- testing snowmobiles before he started his welding career.
He worked at Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI for several years, repairing and sometimes lengthening the big cargo ships.
Larry married Karen Violette on July 12, 1975 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee. They lived in Duluth and Superior, Wi before purchasing the Fossum family farm in 1977 where they have lived ever since.
Larry worked union jobs as a welder for many years, retiring in 2012 and continued to farm, raising beef cattle, small grain and alfalfa.
Larry was a jokster and enjoyed teasing his nieces and nephews and playing jokes on family and friends. When anybody showed up at the farm, Larry stopped what he was doing and always invited them in for coffee. Larry had a willingness to help his neighbors whenever they would call. He also enjoyed carpentry and woodworking in his shop. Larry always had a soft spot for animals, especially his dogs, Cal, George, and Callie.
Larry and Karen worked side by side for many years. Usually, where you saw one, the other was not far behind.
Larry is survived by his loving wife, Karen; brother, Gary (Diane) Fossum of Thief River Falls; sister, Donna (Mike Drangstveit) of Goodridge; brother-in-law, Lowell Enerson (Cathy) of River Falls, WI; sisters-in-law, Linda (Louie) Vettleson of Thief River Falls, Sue (Bob) Carriere of Oklee, Marlene (Bill) Slater of Motley, and Rosemary (Tommy) Sather of Dilworth; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Larry is preceded by his father, George; his mother, Hazel; step-father, Ray Olson; sister, LaVonne Enerson; father and mother-in-law, Louis and Marcella Violette.
Service of the Word will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at St. Francis Xavior Catholic Church in Oklee, MN with Father Bryan Kujawa officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavior Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences may be sent at johnsonfuneralservice.com
# Larry Fossum, #