Larry Clark Udelhoven

1944 - 2024

Larry Clark Udelhoven, 80, of Winifred, Montana passed away on November 19, 2024 at home on the family farm of natural causes.

Larry was born in Lewistown, Montana to Graydon and Lavon Udelhoven on November 8, 1944, and was the youngest of three boys. Larry grew up in Winifred enjoying hunting, fishing, sports, and all the pleasures of life on the farm. He graduated from Winifred High School in June of 1962. It is said that Larry still holds a record at the Winifred school in hurdles and was an outstanding football player, often referred to as "Sheep Shit Shorty" because of his small build and hard-hitting demeanor. While on the farm he began developing a mechanical understanding for the equipment and how it worked. This curiosity is what ultimately developed his aptitude for flying airplanes.

At the age of nine he met his future wife, Deloris Reppe; being high school sweethearts they married June of 1963. In September of 1963 they welcomed their daughter, Debi and one year later had their son, Calvin in October 1964. Larry began flying in high school. Following his graduation, he worked in Cheyenne, WY as a claims adjuster for the missile bases. Continuing to fly he advanced his skills to become a Spray Pilot. Being a natural at flying he secured his job with Frontier Airlines having no formal education or college. One of his greatest accomplishments was having all "Fixed Wing" certifications except for one. Moving the family to Denver, CO in 1967 opened up a whole new world for his hobbies and passions; which included boating on a weekly basis at Stanley Lake with friends and family. His love for speed was obvious with having the fastest boat on the lake sending a rooster tail into the skies. He also regularly raced his blown alcohol dragster at Bandimere Speedway where he earned many trophies in quarter mile drag racing. The friendships that were developed during these times evolved into family and the memories are enduring, especially for those who knew him as "Frontier Fatty" or "Larry the Fairy". The family took various vacations including trips to Hawaii to deep sea fish where he caught Mahi-Mahi, swordfish, shark, and Marlin. He was extremely social and for this their home was always open for anyone in need of a drink, good conversation, or a game of pool. One of his favorite pastimes during the summer was to come home from working a trip, grab a Coors, the hose, and a cigar then sit in his lawn chair and water the garden. In the fall you would always find him on Sundays holding up the goal post at a Denver Broncos game. In the winter he would grab a Coors and disappear into the garage where he would enjoy building his race car engines.

Having lived his dream career flying, he retired in 1986 from Frontier Airlines as a captain of the Boeing 737, and moved back to the farm in Winifred; surrounding himself by a kind and supportive community. At this point he began his second career with his wife, Dee farming the family land. With the help of Tom Reppe, Larry and Dee designed and built their dream home in 1988, and their farming journey began. Equipment was purchased and he took his mechanical knowledge gained from his flying career and applied it towards the emerging type of machinery at the time to be a successful farmer. He enjoyed the technical and challenging aspects of farming, all while knowing the gamble he was taking and if he would be right. During these times he enjoyed flying his super cub, hunting, and fishing. His brother, Melvin would come from California for six months every year to help with the farm. Often times his flying buddies would come up to help harvest. In May 1990, his focus changed with his first grandson, Graydon along with his two other grandchildren that followed, Branden and Kayla. The relationship that developed with Graydon led them on many journeys together. He taught him about life, love, farming, mechanics, hunting, flying, and of course girls. Their favorite thing to do together was to fly the super cub and get lost in the sky. Larry truly had a heart of gold and to know him is to know generosity.

Larry is survived by his daughter, Debi Udelhoven; son, Calvin Udelhoven; grandchildren, Graydon (Kate) Udelhoven, Branden Udelhoven, Kayla (Shaun) Heinert; great-grandchildren, Beckam Udelhoven, Blake Udelhoven, and Laney Udelhoven; brothers, Melvin Udelhoven, Jerry (Darlene) Udelhoven; uncle, Dwayne "Toad" Runyon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Graydon and Lavon Udelhoven; former wife and friend, Deloris Udelhoven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Town of Winifred with the memo line, Winifred Airport or Larry's name, and/or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral Services for Larry will be held at the Winifred School on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at the Winifred Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Larry's family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com