HURON — Larry Walz, age 74, of Huron, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket.
His visitation is Sunday, May 4, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Kuhler Funeral Home in Huron. His family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.
His interment is Monday, May 5, 10:30 a.m. at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Military honors are provided by the Huron Veterans Council.
Larry Allen Walz was born December 28, 1950, to Alvin and Mary Alice (Reinschmidt) Walz, at Huron Regional Medical Center. His parents farmed outside of Yale, and he was baptized at the town’s Trinity Lutheran Church on January 28, 1951. The family moved to Huron in the early 1950s where Larry was confirmed at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church on September 5, 1964. His faith remained central for the rest of his life.
He graduated, in 1969, from Huron High School before joining the United States Navy, where he served until 1975. Honorably discharged at the rank of Fire Control Technician–Missile Radar–2nd Class, aboard the USS Farragut, Larry saw the world. He regaled his family with stories from his time in Europe and Central and South America. In between cruises at port, as a son of a sports-loving family, he enjoyed attending professional sporting events.This era informed his musical tastes too, and he was an avid fan of rock music, taking in concerts as well.
After his Navy career, in 1977, he graduated from Mitchell Technical College with a degree in electronics and communications to facilitate a transfer and expansion of his military training in the civilian realm. In the fall of 1977, Larry began a nearly 37-year career with Terex Manufacturing (then Telelect), in Huron, retiring in 2014 as a machinist. Also in 1977, Larry married Anita Johnson, their son, Andrew (“Andy”) Scott Walz, was born in 1981. Their marriage ended in 1988, after which, he became involved in a support group for which he became a trained facilitator to help others. In 1989, Larry married Regela (“Reg”) Kuhns.
Reg and Larry shared their lives for 35 years. Participating in each others’ interests and encouraging each other in their hobbies and growth. For years, Larry was an active follower and participant in softball, bowling, golf, hunting and fishing; he also was an amateur photographer, wrote poetry, and pursued spiritual fulfillment through leadership as an elder, Sunday school teacher, and Bible study participant. Following his mom’s and grandmother’s encouragement, Larry and Reg also did musical programs at local nursing homes with family and friends.
In the 2000s, health issues began to limit activities, though Larry was able to keep up with his interests by watching sports and services on television. A proud Eagle Scout dad, Larry was over the moon when Andy was awarded this highest achievement as a part of his Scouting career. He was thrilled to welcome Andy’s wife, Jennifer (“Jenny”), to the family in 2011, and watch as their family grew with the welcoming of grandchildren, Owen and Ella, who continued to bring joy to him, right up to his last day on Earth.
Surviving Larry are his loving wife, Regela; his son, Andrew (Jennifer); his grandchildren, Owen and Ella; Andrew’s mother, Anita; Andrew’s grandmother, Jeanette; Larry’s brothers, Darryl (Marla), Craig (Beth) and Doug (Mary); his sister-in-law, Patti (Wayne), his uncle, Howard (Connie); his aunts, Gail and Jan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Those who preceded him include his parents, Mary Alice and Alvin; his brother, Kirk; his sister-in-law, Roberta; his grandparents; uncles; aunts; cousins; extended family members; good friends; and co-workers.
The most important person in Larry’s earthly and heavenly life is his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Larry was bold in sharing this with all who would listen, stating that “I commit myself to God’s care and pray that in the hour of my death, my faith in Him is strong and that His love for me through the suffering and death of His Son, Jesus Christ, enables me to receive the reward of Heaven. Thereby, I leave the world knowing that all who know me, namely my survivors, know that I died in this one true faith. I further trust all who I love to the loving grace and protection of God. Thereby in my absence, I know that He will care for them better than I. Be it also known, I encourage them to remain in Him and always be mindful of his saving faith through his grace.”
When we realize:
• All have sinned – including me and you… Romans 3:23
• Believe with our hearts. Romans 10:9-10
• Confess with our mouths. Romans 10:9-10
That Jesus Christ is our Savior, then ask Him to help us to live for Him as our Lord, . . .
He is with us now and forever. Hebrews 13:5-8
Here or There, we are blessed to be a part of each other’s lives. Thank you, Lord!
