Larry L. Rule

Larry was born March 12, 1929, in Eagle, Colorado, to Fred A. Rule and Mary E. (Quinlan) Rule, in the family house located along the Eagle River. Larry’s experience growing up on a ranch in Eagle with his brother, Dan Rule, played an instrumental role in his childhood, later influencing his professional career as a farmer, rancher, and entrepreneur. Larry graduated from Eagle Valley High School in 1947 and married Nancy Kathryn Doran on January 14, 1950. They lived in a house he built for them during the summer before he proposed. Larry and Nancy had three children together: Lori (Hugh) Hawthorne, Robert (Cindi) Rule, and Spence (Connie) Rule.

In 1961, Larry and the family moved from the family ranch when he bought a farm and built a feedlot in Brighton. Later, he began feeding lambs in 1962, which started the Rule family business that is still operational today. Larry then opened the Denver Lamb packing plant in 1977 and further expanded his business operations by opening the Iowa Lamb packing plant in Hawarden, IA, in 1983. In 1995, Larry and Nancy bought a cattle ranch in Mission, SD, where they loved spending time. Once Larry semi-retired, he and Nancy joined his cousins in Arizona part-time too. Larry’s long-time hobbies included hunting, being a master woodworker, and photography. Larry also enjoyed skiing and bought a cabin in Avon to teach his grandchildren how to ski, and even had the accomplishment of getting his private pilot’s license on his 70th birthday. Most of all, everyone will forever remember Larry for being generous, having a passion for life, and loving his family and friends.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Nancy, and brother Dan. Larry was an amazing father and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his three children, seven grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be at Olinger Funeral Homes and Cemeteries at 7777 W. 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or ASI Sheep Heritage Foundation in Englewood, CO.