Lauren "Larry" Allen Fernen was born August 29, 1937, at Edison, NE, to Elmer E. and Margaret F. (Mayfield) Fernen. The family farmed in Nebraska before moving to Mission, SD. Larry attended school on the reservation. He moved to Rapid City, SD, where he attended a business college, and then moved to Sioux Falls where he worked for a Ford dealership.

Larry joined the South Dakota Army National Guard. He also met Mary Ann Snyders and the couple was married at Larchwood, IA, on May 4, 1963.

The couple moved to Rapid City where Larry worked in the office for Cal-Gas as a bookkeeper. He started working for Jacobsen Ford in Sturgis and commuted to work before making Sturgis his permanent home.

Larry retired from Jacobsen Ford after 47 years of service. He enjoyed being with his family, traveling, his children and grandchildren's sport activities, a good book, and the Bronco's.

Larry was a member of Knights of Columbus; former president of Sturgis Little League, Sturgis Booster Club, and the Sturgis City Council.

Larry, 78, Sturgis, died Saturday, December 26, 2015, at his home in Sturgis.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, Sturgis; son, Jeff (Brenda) Fernen, Sturgis; daughter, Kim (Monty) Smith, Sturgis; brother, Jim (Iva) Fernen, Rapid City; sister, Ilene Shelbourn, Valentine, NE; 6 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Patrick; brother-inlaw, George Shelbourn; and niece, Cindy Shelbourn.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the ALS Foundation.

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