Larry Even

Larry L Even, age 81, of Forman, ND, formerly of Britton, SD passed away on Monday, September 8th, 2025 under the care of Four Season's Healthcare in Forman and CHI Hospice.

Larry was born in his grandmother's home in Toronto, SD on May 9th, 1944 to Leonard and Dorothy (Larson) Even. They lived on a farm near Toronto, SD. When Larry was around four years old, they moved to a farm near Castlewood, SD. He attended Hamlin #1 through 8th grade and then attended 9th grade in Castlewood, SD.

Larry always wanted to be a farmer, so he left school in 1959 and went to work for various farmers.

Larry married Betty Nelson on October 12th, 1963 in Estelline, SD. He then went to work for a farmer in Conde, SD for a year or so before returning to a farm near Castlewood, SD. He then worked for the Castlewood and Estelline, SD elevators. They later moved to Wheaton, MN and then to Forman, ND in 1970 to manage the Farmers' Coop Elevator.

Larry and Betty raised their family in Forman. Larry was quite involved in the community and was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Forman Lion's Club, Cogswell Gun Club, Fire Department, Ambulance crew, Forman Chamber, City Council Member for a couple of years, SE Grain Growers' Association, and Knights of Columbus in Britton, SD. Larry was always willing to help others. You would find him working fundraisers, selling raffle tickets, and even pushed to have a fishing derby for a family in need. He helped with the 4-H livestock sales as well as driving and camping with the 4-H'ers and the CYO. He drove a group up to Winnipeg to see Pope John Paul.

Larry had restored an old McCormick Deering 1530 steel wheel tractor and an F-20 Farm-all and traveled around the community taking part in the tractor pulls and parades. Larry, Betty and family were founding members of the Dakota Fun Club which they would get together with their friends snowmobiling and eating lutefisk and chili during the winter months. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and attending any type of convention including the Lion's, Grain Growers', and Knights of Columbus. Larry had a large garden tractor that he would drive around and garden till with, tilling up yards and helping to plant grass, even tilling up the sand pit for the track and field long jumpers.

Larry and Betty always had work for the kids to do during the summer as they had them taking care of the rather large garden, weeding the yard and the trees. And don't worry, there was also plenty to keep them out of trouble in the winter with cutting, splitting and stacking wood.

Larry also enjoyed attending auctions so much that he decided to head to Iowa to attend Auctioneer School to become an auctioneer. Larry and Betty started their own auctioneer business.

After all of the kids were out of the house in 1990, Larry and Betty moved to Britton, SD and then on to the farm in Kidder, SD. Larry then worked for Brick Propane as the manager along with working for another farmer. They had quite the farm of their own as there were sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, guineas, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, llamas, and donkeys. They always had a few beloved dogs and cats running around as well.

Larry is survived by his children and grandchildren, Gerry Even (Fargo), Lisa (Chuck), Charley (Ieman), Sidney (Nate), and Grace (Sam) Planteen (Mapleton) and Paul (Tami) and Zach (Paige) Even (Lidgerwood); his two sisters: Karen (Don) Mathis (Pleasant Prairie, WI), and Diane Potter (Great Falls, MT); brother-in-law, Steve Mahowald (Omaha, NE), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, God-children, and close family friends.

Larry is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty; parents, Leonard and Dorothy Even; sister Lois Mahowald; four children: Lawrence, Jolene, Richard Even and Nichole and son-in-law Roy Castor.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Forman followed by the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service to follow. Visitation will continue on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church followed by the Rosary at 9:30 a.m. then Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Larry's service will be live streamed below. A graveside committal service will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Estelline, SD on Monday at 2:30 p.m

In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Larry.