Larry Donald Werder

Larry Donald Werder, age 74, of Osakis, died on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Alomere Health in Alexandria, MN, after a short battle with cancer complicated by pneumonia.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minnesota- 1401 6th street SW, Willmar, MN 56201.  Following the service, a time of cake and ice cream to celebrate his life will be served.

 In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Dollars for Scholars programs of Bertha - Hewitt and Browerville.  See below for more information.

Larry Donald Werder was born on October 24, 1948 in Willmar, Minnesota to Donald and Josephine (DuHoux) Werder.  He passed away October 18, 2023 just 6 days short of his 75th birthday. While in school he enjoyed watching and participating in many different sports, playing both high school and town team baseball. Larry had a newspaper route for many years and worked in the City Assessors office. Lifelong hobbies included fishing and both deer and duck hunting spending many hours in the woods or in a boat while patiently waiting for a good shot or that trophy fish to bite.

After graduating from Willmar High School in 1966 he attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he played on the Cobber baseball team for 3 years. He loved his time with The Concordian (newspaper) serving as sports writer, sports editor and business manager. He especially enjoyed time with his AES buddies. He graduated in 1970 with a Bachelors degree in History/Political Science and Psychology. Graduate degrees included a M.A. from Bemidji State and another M.A./6th year from St. Cloud State.

His first teaching job after graduating from Concordia was in Upsala, MN for 2 years.  He spent the next 8 years in Staples, MN where he taught, coached and managed Terrace Golf Club during the summers. He became a school counselor in Sauk Centre for one year before moving on to serve as the HS Principal in Browerville, MN for 5 years. He continued to serve as the School Superintendent in Browerville from 1986-2008 adding Bertha-Hewitt from 1991-2006. He retired in 2008 after 38 years in education and received the Administrator of Excellence Award from MASA for Region 5 in 2008.  He was an amazing leader and friend. He did so many great things for Browerville and their kids!  Always wise, focused, and committed with that warm smile that brought comfort to all.

After moving to their home on Lake Osakis Larry was thrilled to spend part of the winter in Fort Myers, FL watching the Twins Spring Training games as well as doing other warm weather activities and just relaxing.

Larry was active in his church youth group and served as treasurer for the Minnesota North District for a number of years. It was at a youth retreat at Lutheran Island Camp by Henning where he met his future wife Christy.  They were married December 13, 1969 in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN.

He is survived by his wife of 53 (almost 54) years, Christy, son Paul (Nichole), son Andrew (Jen), son Jeffrey (Mandi Mock), daughter Rebecca Olson, and daughter MerriAnne (Nate Croatt), eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild; his mother Joey Werder, sister Peggy (Luther) Dykema, nieces Jill (James) Arentson, Chelsey (Joe) Schammel; brother Tom (Susan) and nephews Matthew (Andrea), and Ben (Mindy), eight great nephews/nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Donald Werder, please visit our floral store.