Obituary - Larry Duane Solberg

LUSK, Wyo. - Larry Duane Solberg, age 79, of Lusk passed away from complications of ALS early in August while in Missoula, Montana.

A family memorial gathering will be held at a later date with burial of the ashes at the Lusk Cemetery.

Larry was born in May 1939 in Poplar, Montana, to Henry O. and Effie Solberg. He was the second to the youngest of 12 siblings. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. Henry and Effie raised their family and farmed near Poplar, Montana, until Henry and his three sons purchased wheat farms south of Gildford, Montana. While in high school, Larry served in class offices, student council, lettered in all sports and went to Montana Boy's State. He loved to learn and was eager for new experiences.

After high school graduation in 1957, Larry continued to farm near Gildford, Montana, served in the U.S. Army and Reserves, and graduated from an electrical trade school in Fargo, ND. He married Marilyn Goedert in 1959 and together they raised three daughters. During those early years he also sold insurance and real estate in Havre, Montana.

In 1969, the family moved to Lusk where he farmed pivot irrigation circles. He was the county executive director for the then ASCS office in Douglas, Wyoming, for a few years and also raised wheat and milo on his farm near Lamar, Colorado until 1984. Larry sold real estate in Niobrara County doing business as Twenty-Twenty Realty for several years until retirement.

Larry was a life member of the Elks and Eagles in Havre, Montana, a Boy Scout leader, an avid bowler in younger years, loved to play cards, pool, craps, and blackjack as well as trapshooting. He was instrumental in organizing the Niobrara Sportsmen's Club, building the facilities, organizing several trap shoots and the annual "Fun and Prize Night" fundraiser. He loved music and filled his "playhouse" with jukebox selections from all genres with country western, fifties and sixties music particular favorites. He loved to travel and he and Marilyn explored most of the lower 48 states. He was actively involved in all his grandchildren's lives, helping, teaching, mentoring and loving them all.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, of Lusk; daughters Sheryl (Mike) Solberg, Shannon (Joe) Stanfill of Cheyenne and Shelly (Mike) Larson of Lusk; grandchildren Kevin, Craig and Jasmine Christianson, and Christian and Erin Stanfill; a brother Roy (Betty) Solberg and Irene (Ben) Askelson of Montana and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Jeffrey Nicholas Kendall, his parents and 10 siblings.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Niobrara Community Hospital where he received excellent care during his illness; address is PO Box 780, Lusk, WY 82225.