Nels was born to George and Maita Christensen on June 12, 1934, in Sundance, WY. His father passed away when he was 3 years old. His mother, Maita, married Raphael Larive in 1941. They moved to St. Onge where he grew up. He married Kay F. Blotz in December 1956. They were blessed with seven children, 9 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Growing up, he worked on the family farm and from there he was a lineman and a truck driver before ending his career as a school bus driver. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and family gatherings, but most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy.

Nels M. Larive, 82, entered into eternal peace on February 24, 2017, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care. His devotion to his family supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him his peace.

He leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his very special wife of 60 years, Kay; sons, Mark (Tanya) Larive and Dan Larive; daughters, Cindy Barry, Lori (Bob) Packer, and Beck (Allen) Reiman; nine grandchildren, Corey (Heather) Barry, Holly (Marty) Spurlock, Gunnar Foss, Shania Larive, Tyler (Sheridan) Larive, Amanda Larive, Casey Packer, Cody Packer, and Caden Packer; four great-grandchildren, Chyanne Spurlock, Sophia Spurlock, KayLee Barry, and Connor Dove; two sisters, Alberta Nelson and Violet Erk; two brothers, Albert (Janet) Larive and George Larive; and several nieces and nephews.

Nels was preceded in death by his son, Chuck; daughter, Mary Esther; mother, Maita; fathers, Raphael Larive and George Christenson; and a sister, Lillian Derosier.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017, with a wake beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with an inurnment on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.at St. Aloysius Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in memory of Nels Larive.

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