Larry D. Vogel

 Larry Dale Vogel, 72, of Yankton, SD, formerly of Meckling, SD passed away Tuesday, August 13 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

 Larry was born February 22, 1952 in Armour, SD to Otto and Clara (Drefs) Vogel. He attended school in Lake Andes through the 8th grade, but thoroughly enjoyed convincing his grandchildren that he never pasted fourth grade. He earned a GED while serving in the Army for the Corps of Engineers where he was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland for 2 years. He married Betty Hill in Vermillion, SD in 1971. They lived for many years raising their family north of Meckling. They divorced after 24 years of marriage in 1995.

 He had worked for Hatch/Brunick Furniture in Vermillion for many years. He also worked at Jones Food Center in Vermillion. After a few years of traveling, Larry settled down in Yankton. In 2004 he met Loretta Bierwagen. They have enjoyed life together up until his death. 

 During his years in Yankton, he continued working as warehouse manager at Hatch furniture. He then began working as a semi-retired Yankton Transit bus driver up until his death.

 Larry was an avid gun researcher and shooter. He loved to spend time shooting his guns, coin collecting, reading Louie L’Amour books, playing a hand of cards and fishing. His favorite pastime was sitting outside, listening to the bird's chirp, and watching the sunset. Larry was known for his quick wit and his quiet, gentle and caring demeanor. He enjoyed wood working, working with horses and was an excellent handy man. He was a very hardworking and dependable man. He was always just a call away for anyone who needed a helping hand. 

 Grateful for sharing life are his significant other, Loretta Bierwagen of Yankton, and his children Dawn (Troy) Janssen of Eagle Lake, MN; Becky (Trenton) Koehn of Armour, SD; Carmen (James) Slattery of Meckling, SD; Lyle (Amy Lawrenson) Vogel of Omaha, NE and Jennifer (DJ Jerrett) Bollig of Yankton, SD. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Mason, Carson, Jaxson and Dawson Koehn; Hannah, Lucas, Jacob, and Ethan Slattery; Ania Janssen; and Isaac Bollig. 

 He is also survived by one brother, Roger (Vicke) Vogel of Sheboygan, WI; 5 sisters Alice Johanneson of Parkston, SD; Donna Vogel of Scottsbluff, NE; Marjorie Sommer of Yankton, SD; Jane (Ron) Martin of Filley, NE; and Judy (Deb) Vogel-Adkinson of Lincoln, NE. 

 He was proceeded in death by his parents, an infant child, his best friend Dennis “Gov” Johanneson, and Mathew Bierwagen. 

 Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Saturday, August 17 at the St. Peters Lutheran Church in rural Armour with burial in the church cemetery. Koehn Brothers Funeral Home will be assisting with the services. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday, August 16 with a service at 7:00 PM at the Hansen Funeral Home in Vermillion.