Larry Deppmeier Obituary

Larry Noel Deppmeier was born on November 13, 1938 in Havre, MT to George Deppmeier and Doris Lucas Deppmeier. He spent his entire childhood in Havre running around causing trouble with his big brothers and best friend Rod Kuiava. Upon graduation from Havre High School in 1956 he joined the Navy. He served as a sonarman in the US Navy from 1956-1959 (2 years, 10 months, and 29 days). Larry was offered an opportunity to go to officer's school but he told the Navy he was going home to marry a girl. Larry married Sharon "Sherie" Colleen Thompson on March 5, 1960, his high school sweetheart. They moved to Lewistown where he started his career with Mountain Bell telephone company. Soon after they moved to Helena where he would continue his career as an engineer for the phone company until his retirement in 1991. Together Larry and Sherie raised 4 children, Dennis, Curt, Colleen, and Vicki Jo. It would turn out that Colleen was their favorite. Sherie passed away in August of 1984. He later married Carol Jean Austin in July of 1991.

Larry's passion was restoring antique cars. He had such a knack and over his years he restored many that he was very proud of. He also loved hunting at Fred Robinson Bridge with his sons, boating at Hauser Lake with family and friends, as well as going with his good friend Rich Brockbank, and son Curt to local football games.

He was Past Master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also was a Shriner and spent many a Saturday with his scooter patrol in a parade somewhere in MT.

Larry loved his family, his siblings whom he remained close to his entire life, as well as his children and their families. He loved to laugh and because he was hard of hearing, he was always the loudest guy in the room. He will be remembered for his legendary laugh by all who knew him.

Larry is predeceased by his parents, his wife Sherie, his brothers Edwin (Viola), Lynn (Helen), Arnold, and Gilbert, brother in law Tiger Evans, and his daughter in law Jennifer Deppmeier.

He is survived by his wife Carol, children Dennis and daughter Molly, Curt (Sandra) and their son Cody (Lena) and their two children Tucker and Wyatt, Colleen (Bob) Stoltzfus and their children Cass and Nolan Stoltzfus, and Vicki Jo Portillo (Blair Howze) and her children Sherie Anderson (Ryan McCabe) and Miranda Portillo. He is also survived by his sister Miriam Kinzel, brother Virgil (Pat), sister in la w Donna Deppmeier, and sister Phyllis Robbins, Sherie's siblings Lolly Evans, Kay (Rick) Ceynar, Ruth (Darryl) Wolery, Kim Thompson, and Gordy (Denise) Thompson, a nephew who was like a brother Leonard Deppmeier, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. Finally he is survived by his step children Steve Austin, daughter Riley (Sean) Thatcher and family, and daughter Bradie Austin, and Penny (Mike) Boggs and daughter Lindsey (Justin) Kovnesky and family.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Larry on November 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.at Fort Harrison in Helena, MT. Following the service there will be a gathering with refreshments at a location to be determined.

Special thanks to Pamela Brown, RN of Eden Hospice in Bozeman, MT for her incredible care during his final days. You were beyond amazing.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com