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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