Larry Dean Lawrence

Larry Dean Lawrence, 76, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday , February 11, 2026 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 11AM with visitation to be held for an hour prior to the service. Pastor Eileen Woyen will be officiating.

Larry was born in Albert Lea on October 6, 1949 to Leo and Adeline (Speten) Lawrence. He grew up in the Geneva and Albert Lea Area, attending both Lakeside and Albert Lea High School, from which he graduated. Larry married his childhood sweetheart, Karen Stensrud, in the First Lutheran Chapel. Together they raised two wonderful sons and one grandchild.

After he graduated from High School, he worked at Turnbull Tires, and then was drafted into the Army, serving primarily in the states. He was stationed in Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland, and for two weeks he served in Germany. In 1971 he was sent to Korea, stationed only 10 miles from the DMZ. After leaving the Army, he reenlisted in the National Guard where he served for 25 years until he completed his tour of duty on May 3, 2002. He later found work at Enderes Tools until he retired.

Larry was a man of many passions. He was a quiet man with a giving heart. He enjoyed fishing trips with his family in Northern Minnesota, camping during long weekends, traveling to Canada with friends, woodworking, gun collecting and maintenance, and watching westerns. He also enjoyed going on vacations and cruises with his family and doing projects around the house. He favored his special cats Minny and Micky. He wasn’t a cat lover by choice, but grew to love them and they him.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Karen; his sons Tom (Katie) Lawrence and Travis (Robin) Lawrence; grandson Gavin Lawrence; sister Linda Peterson of Emmons, younger sister Debbie (Collin) Flatness of Grandy, NC; along with numerous nephews and nieces, many great nephews and nieces.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Adeline Lawrence; sister Shirley (Tom) Whelan; brothers-in-law Gordy Thompson and Harlan Peterson. Nephews Randy and Brad Whelan, Rodney Thompsen; his mother-in-law Helen Stensrud, and brother-in-law Keith Stensrud.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watched below or from the following link: https://youtube.com/live/8gNdyKSUFLg?feature=share