Larry Stokes

Larry Ray Stokes was born on Friday, June 13,1947 in Bertha, MN, to Ray and Pearl (Azalia Zutter) Stokes. Larry passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Larry attended school in Hewitt and Bertha and graduated from Bertha Hewitt High School in 1965.  While in school he was active in football and wrestling.

Larry entered the U.S. Army on March 29, 1966 and received an honorable discharge on March 10, 1967 to return home to help on the family farm, due to his dad’s farm accident.  Larry was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.

On September 30, 1967 Larry was united in marriage to Jean (Ramona) Violett at the Church of God in Bertha, MN. Larry and Jean made their home and raised their family in the Hewitt area.

Larry was active in many organizations including: Lucky Riders Saddle Club, Hewitt Lions, Bertha Hewitt Sports Boosters, Elementary Wrestling, and FFA alumni.  Larry was a member of the WE FEST mounted patrol for 25 years.

Larry had many occupations, but the most enjoyable were the years he spent farming with his parents and the 22 years he traveled the Hewitt countryside, as the Rural Mail Carrier for the Hewitt Post Office.

Larry was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying everything outdoors. He especially loved ice fishing and Minnesota deer hunting when the house was full of kids and grandkids, telling all those hunting stories.  He loved hunting in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado and bringing back many stories that were told over and over when the “hunting bunch” got together.  He was especially proud to teach his grandsons how to trap.  He also took great pride in following “The Game Warden” on all of her adventures and checked out the Outdoors News weekly.

Left with memories are his wife Jean; son Michael (Sheila) Stokes of Hewitt/Clarkfield, MN; granddaughter Demi (Ross) Dittberner, Teagyn and Tyson of Parkers Prairie MN; granddaughter Kendra (Dominik) Ammermann, of Portland, Oregon; granddaughter Arei Stokes of Jamestown, North Dakota; granddaughter Rumor Stokes of Mayville, North Dakota; son Lonnie (Shauna) Stokes of Cushing, MN; granddaughter Kylie Stokes of Missoula, Montana; grandchildren Ethan, Garrett, and Kortnee Olson of Cushing, MN; daughter Tina (Jimmy) Olson of Hewitt, MN; granddaughter Brenna (Andrew) Tessier and Joshua of Circle Pines, MN; Jade Christl of Duluth, MN; Jacy Christl of Hewitt, MN; and daughter Tricia (Tim) Plautz, Koal and Logan of Hewitt, MN; sister Carla (Terry) Nelson, nephew Kenneth (Ashley) Nelson and Conner of Buffalo, MN; Uncle Pat (Carl) Zutter and Liz of Bristow, Virginia; brother-in-law Ted (Sarah) Nelson of Hewitt, MN; nephew Troy (Stacy) Nelson of Ottertail, MN; nephew Shaun Nelson and Hillary of Hewitt, MN; numerous other relatives and many friends.

Preceding Larry in death were grandson Michael Stokes; brother Kenneth Stokes and fiancé Lindy Schaefer; parents Ray and Pearl Stokes; grandparents Carl and Emma Zutter; grandparents Joe and Naomi Stokes; mother-in-law Hazel Nelson; and nephews Christopher and Zachary Nelson.

A very heartfelt thank you to the Lakewood Health System doctors; Dr. Ryan Kroll; student intern Blake; Dr. Katie Norris; Dr. Adrianne Moen; Dr. Chad Norris; Dr. Chad Thiel; Dr. Michael Hudalla and the wonderful nursing staff.

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