Larry Lance

LARRY JAMES LANCE of Grantsburg passed away on April 29, 2021. He was 74 years young.

Born on June 26, 1946 in Fort Francis, Ontario, to Herbert and Binnie (Davis) Lance, Larry was the first of six children to grow up in the Lance home. Even in his youth, Larry was an avid outdoorsman, maintaining traplines, fishing the Rum River, and exploring new destinations. It was in his youth that Larry would develop the two most vital values that would punctuate his life – the desire to work hard and the importance of taking care of others.

At age 17, Larry enlisted in the United States Navy, where he regularly sent most of his pay home to help support the family. While assigned as an inaugural crew member of the USS Ogden (LPD-5), Larry had many memorable adventures, deployed twice to Vietnam, honed his talent for the guitar, and made friends that would last a lifetime.

Honorably discharged in 1967, Larry completed his service and returned to Minnesota to work. One fateful night (as he told the story), Larry returned home to find his sister hosting a sleepover with her best friend – a cute brunette with big brown eyes. Donna Lease. Larry was hooked. From then on, Larry and Donna could be found together, from Ann Lake to Princeton, regularly cutting a rug at many of the area’s dance halls. About a year later, at the Little Flower Mission in Onamia, they were married.

From there, Larry was able to fulfill three lifelong dreams.

First, he and Donna brought their own family into the world; beginning with a daughter, Kimberly, then a son, Cheston.

Larry’s second dream was to make a difference through his work…and he did just that. Working in Plant Engineering for industry leader 3M, for over 30 years Larry was a pioneer in the growing field of vibration analysis – using sound waves to predict maintenance needs and even potential failure of production machinery. So successful was Larry that, in short order, he was training engineers across the 3M organization…and across the country. Even after leaving 3M, Larry continued his passion for hard work and taking care of people, flourishing in his second career – real estate – for the next decade.

Larry’s third dream was to establish a homestead. Moving onto 40 acres in Grantsburg, Wisconsin in 1975, Larry not only provided his family a home, but found one for himself. Throughout his time in Grantsburg, Larry expressed his faith through musical ministry and participated as a lector for many years. It was also here that Larry was able to express his passion for horses through riding, halter shows, and breeding Appaloosas. It was here – as an avid reader of…well…everything – that Larry was able to pursue his insatiable appetite for knowledge. And it was here in the Lances’ Grantsburg home that Larry passed on to his children their passion for music, their love of stories, and their incredible work ethic.

Hunting. Fishing. Yard work. Archery. Cutting Trails. Woodworking. Throughout his life, Larry loved being in – and putting his hands on – nature, especially in the Canadian wilderness along the Nipigon River. However, despite his passion for the solitude of home, the solace of family, and the seclusion of nature, Larry balanced it all out by being a friend to just about every stranger he ever met. Indeed, Larry leaves us with words of wisdom: “Have coffee with those you love and say, ‘Thank you’ for every meal your wife prepares!”

Today, Larry is in great company, joining those who passed before him. His parents. His brother, Smokey. His nephew, Jamie, and his brother-in-law William.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Donna; and his children, Kimberly and Cheston (Robin). Also, his sisters, Joy (Chuck) Fagerberg, Diane (Jim) VanAlst, Susan (Rick) Sullivan; brother, Jody (Ellen) Lance; his sister-in-law, Pam Lance; his business partner and great friend, Leon Meuwissen; many brothers/ sisters in-law and nieces/nephews; and his Navy brothers, Joe Carrier and Ron Suntken.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 3:00 PM (visitation 1:00 – 3:00 PM) at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, in Grantsburg. The memorial service will be followed by a luncheon at the Legion Hall in Grantsburg. Memorials preferred to family.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.