Larry A. Wheeler

Larry Wheeler, age 79 of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 3, 2023, with his loving family by his side at the Regina Hospital in Hastings MN.

He was born May 5, 1944, to Charles “Bud” and Gloria (Sondreal) Wheeler in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and after school, he enlisted with the United States Army and honorably served his country overseas. On October 31, 1964, Larry married his elementary school sweetheart, Marjorie Stulc. They were married by the Justice of Peace in St. Paul, MN, went to Larry’s parents’ house and had coffee to tell them, and then went to a Halloween party. Halloween and kids have been important to them ever since. Together they raised their 3 children. Larry worked for over 30 years as a pipefitter and was a proud union member for 50+ years.

He was an active youth hockey and soccer coach for many years. Larry was a dedicated elder with the Church of Latter-Day Saints, and loved volunteering, bowling, golfing and his "ponies". Larry was an active and loving grandpa and great grandpa who was always “finer than frogs hair”, enjoyed dancing with his wife and going on grand adventures every chance he could. He was always sharing his sense of humor, his stories and being a jokester. His most famous saying was “My ship is coming in”. He will be greatly missed.

Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie; children, Lisa Mosbey, Monica (Art Ellsworth) and Larry II (Heidi Nygaard); grandchildren, Britni (Karl) Lane and Nick (Callie Jo) Kieffer, Step grandsons Jon Ellsworth and Phil (Erin) Ellsworth; great-grandchildren, Douglas, Dominyck, Natalie, Willow, Lincoln, Oliver, Joshua, Sully, Maxwell, Eliza, Odie, Layah and Mila; brother, Chuck (Sona) Wheeler and other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Paul, Joan, Jean and Bobby; and two great-grandchildren, Memphis and Sawyer.

A Celebration of Larry's Life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 10, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hastings, Minnesota.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.