It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Larry Waltner, 88, of Sioux Falls, SD, SD — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
What follows is not the whole story, but a thread of it.
The story begins in 1937, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
A life of many years is a life of many gifts to those who knew it.
Larry Waltner, 88, died peacefully Monday, September 1st, 2025 at the Ava House Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by family. Visitation with family present will be from 5:30-7:00 pm Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home in Parker, SD with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Salem Mennonite Church (South), rural Freeman. Larry had requested no flowers, and memorials may be directed to Hope Haven. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.Larry was born on June 1, 1937 to Ralph & Verda (Kaufman) Waltner of Hurley, SD. On June 11, 1959 Larry married Catherine "Kay" Handwerk. To this marriage three children were born; Delryn, Marlyn, and Charlynn. Larry spent his earthly time farming from an early age until he was 80, singing in quartets and church choirs, making beautiful music with his band singing and playing bass guitar, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and spending time with family. Larry absolutely loved playing music with his band performing often for local nursing home residents along with a concert at his farmhouse and even a driveway jam at his home in Sioux Falls. He looked forward every winter to visiting his many special friends in Arizona where he played in 4-5 jams per week.Grateful for having shared his life are his 2 sons: Delryn (Carleen) Waltner, Marlyn (Leslie) Waltner, a daughter Charlynn (Darin) Hay all of Sioux Falls, SD; 6 grandchildren: Brianna and Austin Waltner (Delryn), Layne(Blake) Hoium and Alex(Aly) Waltner (Marlyn), Cedric(Allie) Hay and Morgan(Ben) Kahler (Charlynn); 8 Great Grandkids, Hudson, Lux, Sutton (Hay), Kamryn, Brooks (Hoium), Emmett, Kelby, and Addilyn (Kahler). 1 sister Karen(Jim) Wiebe, Beatrice, NE; Many Nieces and Nephews on the Waltner and Handwerk sides.Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kay, a brother and sister-in-law Lonnie and Mary Waltner; a special niece Melissa Waltner and special nephew Lee Waltner; brother-in-laws Jack Handwerk and Bob Handwerk; sister-in-law Bernice Aspley.
