LARRY HALLSTROM

Larry Hallstrom, 73, of Sioux Falls and Wagner died Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls. A family-directed memorial visitation was held Thursday, November 7 at Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Larry Hallstrom, son of Melvin G. and Dorothy (Olson) Hallstrom, was born January 18, 1946 in Worthington, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Worthington and participated in 4-H and FFA. As a youngster, Larry tore up the roads on his motorcycle and later bought his first car, a 1956 Ford, with money from the sale of his prize calf "Big Boy". He graduated from Worthington High School in 1964.

Larry was united in marriage with Judy Allen on August 7, 1965 in Worthington, MN. Larry entered the U.S. Navy on July 19, 1966 in Worthington, MN and attended schools in Chicago and Maryland. He served as a Radioman on the minesweeper USS Loyalty based out of Long Beach, CA. Following that, Larry was transferred to Minepac Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 13 where he was stationed in Japan until his honorable discharge on July 10, 1970 at Long Beach, CA. Larry returned to Minnesota and attended Vocational School at Pipestone, graduating with a certification in auto mechanics. During that time, he worked as a deputy sheriff and on the police reserve in Pipestone, in addition to his part-time job as an auto mechanic.

Larry moved his family to Sioux Falls in 1972. He worked at Anderson Hall Motors and Dockendorf Equipment Company until he bought Weber Heating in 1986. Larry later sold that company to Waterbury and worked there for a time. He then worked for Johnstone Supply until retiring in 2005. During his retirement, Larry worked part-time for Frankman Motors and Minnehaha County Conservation District. At the age of 70, he obtained his CDL and was enthusiastic about being able to do some truck driving.

Larry was active as a leader in the Boy Scouts and in his church for a number of years. He was a great dad and friendly to everyone he met, always eager to help anyone in need. Larry loved boating, fishing, camping, diving, snowmobiling, jetskiing, mowing and anything outdoors with family and friends.

Larry and Judy were foster parents for 15 years and continued relationships with some of those they cared for. They enjoyed spending as much time as possible on their acreage near Wagner. This summer, he began taking flying lessons and was about to solo when the FAA denied his application for health reasons. Larry was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2017 and fought valiantly until his death on November 1. He spent his last days in hospice, surrounded and loved by many family members and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Judy; two sons, Allen Hallstrom and his wife, Beth, Sioux Falls, Jason Hallstrom, Littleton, CO; four grandchildren, Zachary Hallstrom and his wife, Leah, Brandon, Katherine Hallstrom, Brandon, Emma Hallstrom, Sioux Falls, Sam Hallstrom, Sioux Falls; two great-grandchildren, Isaac and Aria; his mother, Dorothy Hallstrom, Worthington, MN; two siblings, Ron Hallstrom and his wife, Winora, Worthington, MN, Kim Sankey and her husband, Bryant, Rochester, MN; a brother-in-law,DavidLivingston and his wife, Marge, Worthington, MN; many foster children, including Michael Byrnes, Sarah, Matthew, Anthony and Lukas Finnell; and many other relatives and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Hallstrom and a sister, Audrey Livingston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred. Online guestbook at georgeboom.com.