Obituary: Larry Mathews

Print Obituary

In memory of

Larry Mathews

of Draper, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at his home north of Draper at the age of 57

Larry Alan was born January 19, 1960 to Gerald Mathews and Marlynrae Kilian Mathews at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota weighing in at 9 lbs. 4 oz. with curly blond hair.

He started 5th grade in Pierre and graduated from Riggs High School in 1978. In high school, he was friends with everyone. He also enjoyed dancing, having a good time and making people laugh. He was friends with everyone and liked to play jokes on his friends. He enjoyed sports, football, and wrestling. Larry had such a great outlook on life. He was such an active and energetic child. As he grew older he went to help his dad with general ranch work.

After graduation, he started a job at Gleeson Construction in Nebraska and worked for them for many years in several states as a Construction Supervisor. In 1986 Larry became a father of his only child. He continued to travel around the U.S. working for Gleeson. The he settled down in his home in Fremont, Nebraska for a few years, returning to South Dakota to ranch north of Draper. Where he met the love of his life, Flo Hapney and they became engaged. Flo lived with him and tended to him during his illness. He thought the world of his grandchildren and tended to spoil them.

Late in 2015, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He continued his battle for 16 months, when finally, he was taken home to pass away peacefully at his ranch. He leaves to mourn: Flo Hapney and her family, daughter Ellie, son-in-law, Chad , grandchildren Shayla and Desmond; brothers Carl and Albert; sisters Cindy Williamson, Geraldine (Gigi) and Mike Summers; and Debi and Mark Skees; parents Marlynrae Kilian Mathews and Gerald Mathews (step mother-Wanda); Aunt & Uncles: Patricia Greer, Philip & Audrey Mathews, Fredrick & Mary Mathews and Eleanor & Chuck Zuccaro, Clint and Sharon Caldwell, John and Betty Walinski, Ida and Ross Henrichsen, Eileen Duff and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Ralph & Pauline Mathews and Ray & Eleanor Wendling Kilian; uncles Leonard Greer; John Duff; cousin John Duff Jr.; Jesse Dugan.

A memorial visitation will be held 1-4 p.m. MST on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

A celebration of life service will be held in June.

Cards and memorials may be sent to Gerald Mathews, 27878 Army Pl. Draper, SD 57531.

Open the Memorial Folder

MEMORIAL VISITATION
Saturday, February 11, 2017 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Sign the guestbook

You will always have a very special place in my heart. You left your mark on many, many people. To the good times my dear friend until we meet again. Love always. ~ Jean Pittard Athens, GA (8/26/2020)
I miss you Larry!!! More than you know... it's been four months and I'm still sad! Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Love you! ~ Gigi Covington WA (6/9/2017)
I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences to your family. ~ Daniel Ferwerda Gilbert, AZ (2/20/2017)
We worked on the Herman Ranch by Draper together in the late 70's.

Larry was always the life of the party. He was always so upbeat and
positive and had a ready smile. Great fond memories. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family. ~ Danna Nickels Clark,SD (2/17/2017)
I am so sorry for your lose, i loved larry like a brother,I met larry in fremont when he did a job for Gleeson I knew as soon as I met him he was one of a kind, we got to be very close friends,we fished hunted worked and had many great times, I got to know his family in south dakota, his dad step mom Albert Carl Cindy and gigi and mike, and flo who i only me once but she has a heart of gold I have never met a more warm family that would take you in, he is still and will always be in my thoughts and heart along with his family, I will miss him greatly, I will see all of you in june, sincerely mike marcsisak ~ Mike marcsisak Lincoln NE (2/17/2017)
Mathews Family, so sorry to hear of your loss. ~ Harley Haukaas Haukaas (2/16/2017)
Larry was a good friend. Life took us down different paths but when are paths crossed he was always my friend. I will miss him ~ Brian Pellerzi Anoka Mn (2/13/2017)
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Larry's family. My deepest sympathy. Mike ~ Mike Tabbert Tremonton, Utah (2/12/2017)
My dear cousins, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope you will find comfort in each other. Remember all the laughs and good times as I know there were many. Love you all. ~ Julie Steffen Bonney Lake WA (2/11/2017)
So very sorry to hear about Larry. Sending prayers to you all. ~ Steve & Kathy Hagert Claremore, OK (2/11/2017)
Carl, Albert and Flo and family. Larry will be missed by many and he was so very loved by many. May he Rest In Paradise , Diz and Brad and all the guy's and gal's are happy to welcome him home. You are all in my prayers and thoughts <3 ~ Cupcake Maypearl Tx (2/11/2017)
My sincere sympathy to all of Larry's loved ones ~ Kim Calkins Rapid City SD (2/11/2017)
We will miss you and your smile Larry. You were a good friend and classmate. Sending prayers to your family and loved ones. ~ Pam Bonrud Sioux Falls (2/11/2017)
Carl and family flo sure wish I could be there for you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Larry was a great and fun guy he will be missed. Him and momma are having a toddy ~ Tonna finch Pierre sd (2/11/2017)
God bless you, Flo, for taking such good care of Larry...even when he wasn't sick. Love and peace to all the family. Chrisy Z. ~ Christina Zuccaro 22742 258th Ave (2/10/2017)
I will be out of town Saturday or would definitely be there to celebrate Larry's life. Larry was a good guy and provided me with a lot of laughs when Jesse was alive
My condolences to Flo, his family, and friends. ~ Karla Hedman Ft Pierre, SD (2/10/2017)
Flo, I was so very sorry to hear of Larry's illness and passing.He was a good guy.You are in my thoughts and prayers ~ Vicki Orris Clark SD (2/10/2017)
So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. My prayers are with the family. He was a good friend and classmate. ~ Jeff Putzier Pierre SD (2/9/2017)
. So sorry for your loss. What a Great Friend to both of us. We were truly blessed to have had him in our lives, and called him our forever friend. May God comfort his family at this difficult time. ~ Connie & Lionel Nold Ft Pierre, SD (2/9/2017)