Larry Kelly

Larry’s Memorial Mass will be livestreamed below at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2025

Larry’s vigil service will be livestreamed below at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 4, 2025:

Larry James Kelly, born on November 19, 1940, in Moorhead, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was the beloved son of Raymond and Norean (Jones) Kelly.

Larry’s educational journey began in a one-room schoolhouse just down the road from the family farm until the eighth grade. He completed his studies at Shanley High School graduating in 1958. In 1969, Larry married Diane Waller, with whom he welcomed two children, Cory James and Julie Renee. He later married Diane Dotzenrod in 1986.

Larry served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964. Due to his service, he knew how lucky he was to receive care at the VA and truly appreciated all of the love and care he received over the years. Larry seemed to know someone down every hallway.

Over the years, Larry worked a variety of jobs. He enjoyed working at the Fargo Air National Guard, selling cars for Dean’s Auto & Ness Auto Sales and various tasks at Harvest States. He officially retired on his 62nd birthday but kept himself busy by helping the Libbrecht’s when needed.

Larry appreciated classic cars and loved to rattle off the specific details that distinguished one model from another. His first vehicle was a dark green 1951 Ford Custom 2 door. Additionally, Larry was a farmer at heart as he loved to go for drives around the countryside with his window rolled down to check out the crops and find a bite to eat in a small town. He loved to check out farm machinery but was most fond of tractors. Due to that fondness, Larry was an avid collector of miniature John Deere tractors.

Larry was well-known for his quick wit, silly sense of humor and memorable one-liners. He always had a smile on his face and loved to make others laugh. Larry cherished his journey to sobriety, which spanned an inspiring 59 years and 5 months. He valued the AA program and worked it every day of his sober life. Larry lit up when he entered the house or spoke with someone from the program.

Although the last 17 months were tough on Larry, he still managed to keep his sense of humor and showed us all just how strong he really was. During the last 8 months, while on his Hospice journey, he had many visitors, and we know he appreciated every minute of those visits. Larry couldn’t wait to see his mother when he got to heaven and we truly believe she was right there to greet him as he left this earth with a smile on his face.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Diane Kelly; son Cory (Laura) Kelly of Webster Groves, Missouri; and daughter Julie (Keith) Wanner of Watertown, South Dakota. Additionally, he leaves behind step-grandchildren Macy and Jackson Garrett, his former spouse Diane Kelly, brothers Jerry Kelly (Karen Westrick) and George Kelly, sisters Charlotte Lancaster, Kathy Robinson, Shirley (Tim) Petry, and Carol (Jim) Bell, as well as sisters-in-law Sue Kelly, MaryEllen (Doug) Haberman, and Carole (Rick) Rowe, and brother-in-law Tom (Lynda) Dotzenrod.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Norean Kelly; in-laws Lloyd and Helen Dotzenrod; his infant sister, Jean; brothers Orv and Denny; brothers-in-law George, Bill, and Joe; sisters-in-law Jean and Vonnie; and nephew Stewart.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley as the family so appreciates the tender love and care that they provided for all of us.