larry skramstad
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The Life of Larry SkramstadTRANSCRIPT
Larry Dean Skramstad1944 – 2009
Larry grew up on a wooded farm along the
Sheyenne River in North Dakota. Winter time
was dominated by livestock, hunting and card
playing. Summer time was for farming, berry
picking and that eternal card playing. There was a
landing strip on his family farm where his father,
uncle and many cousins flew in and out. They
came to visit relatives, to hunt in the woods and
hills, or to just enjoy the peace and beauty of the
Sheyenne Valley. Most family stories have "hunting" or "flying"
themes. Then there were the inevitable “hunting while flying”
escapades. This led to even more stories, all told and retold over a
game of whist, pinochle or cribbage. Larry was genetically
predisposed to being a story teller, and the long winter evenings only
encouraged him to hone his skills.
Like so many young men of his time, he
was drafted into the Army during the
Vietnam War Era and served 1966-1968.
After an honorable discharge, he pursued
flight and aviation even more studiously
and received private pilot, commercial pilot
and instrument pilot ratings.
In 1969, his cousin, Oliver Skramstad,
asked Larry to help him drive from North
Dakota to Tucson. Once in Arizona, he never looked back. Larry had
not appreciated the harsh winters and adapted very well to his lovely
new desert home. He only visited North Dakota during the hottest part
of summer.
Larry’s passion for aviation had him spending much time at the local
airport where he met Dee Flint who shared his interest in airports and
flying. They also shared a mutual interest in old cars and amateur radio
(call letters: KA7APA). They were married May 4, 1974 at Tucson,
Arizona.
Larry worked for a short time at the Silverbell Mine then went on to
establish the family business Avra-Marana Pumping Service. He is
survived by his wife DeNelda “Dee”; two sons, Mike and Pat, and five
sisters. He is preceded in death by two brothers.
Born
July 26, 1944 Sharon, North Dakota
Entered into Rest
September 28, 2009 Tucson Arizona
Visitation
4:00 P.M., Monday, October 5, 2009
Bring Memorial Chapel
236 S. Scott, Tucson AZ
Funeral Service
10:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Bring Memorial Chapel
Interment
Holy Hope Cemetery
3555 North Oracle Road, Tucson AZ 85705
Pall Bearers
Adam Schoonover Charlie Boit
Loren Flint Fred Flint
Mike Skramstad Pat Skramstad
Dennis Skramstad Rex Myers
Military Honors
Conducted by Ft. Huachuca Select Honor Guard
ReceptionImmediately following service
Cortaro Vista Community Church
8600 N Camino de Oeste
First church on right
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