Larry "Lars" G. Ringsaker

Larry "Lars" George Ringsaker, age 78, of Rosholt, SD, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Countryside Inn Assisted Living in Rosholt, three weeks after he stopped dialysis treatments.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington, SD, with Pastor Karie Geyer officiating.  Music will be provided by pianist Melanie Yost and vocalists Ron and Janeen Kohl.

Burial will be in the New Effington Community Cemetery.  Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Eggers, Terry Burns, Bob Foltz, Marvin Piotter, Jim Laemmle, David Cloud, Jim "Brutus" Berg, Gary Hoffman, Neil Long, Joe Lee, Harlan Hanson, Eddie Yost, and Doug Broz.  Active pallbearers will be Larry's grandchildren, Jennifer and Michael Cote', Cody, Anthony, Dustin, Kayla, and Kassie Ringsaker, Kendal Ceroll and Mel Martenson, Erica Ceroll, Tanner, Jarrett, Jayce, and Avalon Werner, and Maela Green.

Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Tuesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Larry was "young when the trees were small." He was born on July 25, 1939 in his grandparents' home in Veblen, SD to John "Jack" and Myrtle (Warner) Ringsaker of New Effington, SD. Larry and his big brother, John, who was born 2 years, 2 weeks, and 2 days before Larry, enjoyed helping out on the family farm, riding their horse (Jip) to country school, and eating farm-raised chicken. He enjoyed "sitting himself down for a chair" to eat the mud pies Genie and Pam prepared. Larry "went to different schools together" with many, graduating from Sisseton High School in 1957. He spent two summers in the Service at Fort Polk, LA, and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Larry spent some time in the Twin Cities working on the loading docks but moved back to be "home on the range" in South Dakota.

Larry married LaVonne Edlund on May 20, 1963 in Webster, SD. Larry and LaVonne owned Victor Grocery in Victor, SD and His and Her Place in New Effington. While shaking dice and slinging beers, three children were born: James, Johnny, and Jill. After eight years in business, the Ringsakers farmed south of New Effington before moving to Rosholt permanently in 1974. Soon after, Jolynn was born. Larry became a machinery jockey for Allis Chalmers in Rosholt before starting his own partnership, R & E Equipment, with long-time friend Terry Eggers. LaVonne passed away July 26, 2003. Larry survived many years of Type 2 diabetes, two heart attacks, and chronic kidney disease. He was a fighter literally and figuratively. He was "terrible but he was used to it."

Survivors include his four children: James (Carissa) Ringsaker of Clinton, MN; Johnny (Jolene) Ringsaker of Hankinson, ND; Jill (Dale) Ceroll of Victor, SD; and Jolynn (Duane) Werner of Breckenridge, MN; his thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer (Michael) Cote'; Cody, Anthony, Dustin, Kayla, and Kassie Ringsaker; Kendal (Mel) and Erica Ceroll; Tanner, Jarrett, Jayce, and Avalon Werner; and Maela Green; five great-grandchildren: Lyam, Reagan, Scarlet, Sterling, and Savin; sisters: Pamela (Rick) Bohn of Browns Valley, MN, and Georgine Davidson of Uvalde, TX; sisters-and-brothers-in-law: Jan Ringsaker of Rosholt, LeRoy (Karen) Edlund of Cyrus, MN, Leon Edlund of Parkston, SD, Larry "Butch" (Connie) Edlund of Richville, MN, Linda (Shelley) Edlund of Panama City, FL, and Susan (Larry) Goette, Rosholt, SD.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Myrtle; his wife of 40 years, LaVonne; his brother, John; mother-and-father-in-law, Lloyd and Leona Stowe; his sister-in-law, Audrey Edlund; and many beloved aunts and uncles.