Larry Arnold Strate, 78, longtime Minot resident, died Sunday, June 17, 2012, in a Surprise, Ariz., hospice center.
Larry was born Sept. 10, 1933, at Velva, the son of Arnold and Verna (Coyne) Strate. He was raised on the family homestead south of Velva and graduated from Velva High School in 1951. As a young adult he was employed by the Great Northern Railroad.
Larry was united in marriage to Almira Pretzer on June 5, 1954, in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. They made their home in Stanley for a short time before moving to Minot.
Larry graduated from Minot State College in 1964 and began work at the Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck. After one year, the Strate family returned to Minot, where Larry began working at Production Credit Association. Larry was manager of the Minot City Auditorium for many years and continued to work for the City of Minot until retiring in 1998. For many years, Larry farmed the family land south of Velva. Following the loss of their home in the flood of 2011, Larry and Almira relocated to Peoria, Ariz.
Larry was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. His hobbies and interests included trail riding with his horse and many friends, along with deer hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.
His loving family includes: wife of 58 years, Almira; children, William (Janet) Strate Windsor Heights, Iowa, Sandra (Gregory) Whelan, Peoria, Ariz.; four grandchildren who were the source of much pride and joy, Marnie Strate, Cullan Whelan, Sally Whelan, Jackson Whelan; sister, Arlene Annabelle, Vancouver, Wash.; In-laws, Arlo and Patty Pretzer, Minot, Wallace and Shari Pretzer, Leesburg, Fla., and Bonnie Groshong, Portland, Ore.; and many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dean; and sister, Joan Helland.
Celebration of Larry's life: Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 3 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: At the request of family, there will not be any reviewal; however friends may sign the memorial register book on Tuesday, June 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: Are preferred to Chromosome 9P Network (P.O. Box 52, Appleton, WI 54912 or www.9minus.org) on behalf of his granddaughter, Sally Whelan.
Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).
