Larry Molstad, 71, died on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital, Northwest Campus in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Voelker, Ph.D., officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN with military honors provided by the American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793.

Visitation will be held 5-8 on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Wednesday.

Larry Duane Molstad was born on November 20, 1936 to Oliver and Lena (Riedle) Molstad in Steiner area. Larry grew up on the farm in the Steiner area and attended local schools and the Northwest School of Agriculture at Crookston.

On January 31, 1957 Larry entered into service with the United States Army. He served in the Hawaiian Islands and at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO and was honorably discharged on December 31, 1962. Following his discharge he returned to Thief River Falls where he lived for a short time until moving to St. Paul, MN where he was a driver for the Metropolitan Transit Company for a number of years. While working at MTC, Larry met Sharon Kay Jacobson and on August 29, 1969, the couple was united in marriage in Worthington, MN. To this union two children were born, Cherrie and Duane.

In 1978 the family returned to Thief River Falls where Larry and Sharon owned and operated Horse Shoe Gardens Greenhouse & Nursery and Molstad Country Flowers until 1985. After closing his business for health reasons, Larry continued his education at AVTI in Thief River Falls where he attained his Associate Degree in drafting.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Larry served as Post Commander at the American Legion in Thief River Falls, which he also managed. He served on the Color Guard and was a member of the 40 et 8. Larry was involved with many community events, military events he was also an active community volunteer. He was instrumental in the development of the Avenue Of Flags at Greenwood Cemetery. He was a member of the Young Pine Lodge Order of the Odd Fellows in Thief River Falls and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, the Eagles Lodge, and the Elks Club for a few years. He enjoyed playing cards with the guys, deer hunting, feeding the birds, and watching the Twins and Vikings.

Larry especially enjoyed the outdoors cooking and spending time with his grandchildren and family. Larry and Sharon had a strong bond with each other and their children. They enjoyed the simple things in life and the peace within it.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon, Thief River Falls; daughter, Cherrie (Scott) Asleson, Fountain, CO; son, Duane (MaryLee) Molstad, Thief River Falls, MN; 2 grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Abigail Molstad; 2 sisters, Betty (George) Woolman, Lakeside, CA, and Dorothy Johnson, Warren, MN; sisters-in-law, Betty Molstad and Madonna Molstad both of Thief River Falls, MN, Marlys Molstad, Grand Forks, ND; 1 brother-in-law, Doug (Ardy) Jacobson, Worthington, MN; and several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Victoria Paige Molstad; special uncle, Albert Molstad; 3 brothers, Clibert Bud , Clayton, and Oliver Molstad; and 1 sister MaryAnn Swanson.