Larry DeWayne Burgess was born August 27, 1932 to Lawrence Burgess and Zetta Aubrecht Burgess in Burlington, Iowa. At the age of 5 years old, because of an asthmatic condition, his Aunt Leora Aubrecht Drake brought him from Iowa to Denver, Colorado. Later the family joined them and he attended school & graduated from North High School in Denver, CO in 1950. After graduation he returned to Iowa and farmed with his uncles, Delbert Nelson & George Burgess. He was drafted into the US Army in 1955.
Larry served in Korea until he was honorably discharged in January 1957. His patriotism and love of country did not end upon his discharge but continued and was evident throughout his life. Upon his return to the states he married the love of his life, Lola Kleffman, in Ipswich, South Dakota on April 4, 1957. They made their home in Iowa & South Dakota, farming & ranching. While living on the Thunderbird Ranch in Norbeck, South Dakota, their three children, Lynn, Laurene, & LeAnn were born.
In 1963 they moved their family to Fort Collins, Colorado where they established their open & welcoming home on Franklin Street for 59 years. Larry worked for Soderberg Masonry for 25 years until he was injured and took early retirement. Larry & Lola enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada, stopping to visit many friends and family along the way. Larry loved hunting and fishing and looked forward to his yearly elk hunt with his Uncle Orville, son, grandson, and many hunting buddies. His last hunt was at the age of 85 in Idaho with his son Lynn and grandson Brock, where he bagged a 6 point bull elk! Larry had a talent for making beautiful antler furniture and barnwood creations.
At a young age, Larry made a choice to serve God & stayed true & faithful to that choice. Larry’s life focus was never taken up with this earthly side of the mountain, but his purpose was to reach the top & see the beauty of the eternal side. After a long struggle of climbing the mountain, Larry reached the top on July 18, 2022 at Pelican Pointe Health & Rehab, Windsor, CO, just shy of his 90'h birthday.
Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lola of the home, son Lynn (Lorrie) Burgess of Windsor, CO, daughter Laurene Hauck of Scotland, SDak, daughter LeAnn Carlson of Scottsbluff, NE, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, & 2 expectant great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Donald & Vernon, and 1 grandson Brett Hauck.
