Larry Duane Ranum, 72, of Crookston, MN, passed away early Wednesday, February 9, 2022, in RiverView Health with his wife, JoAnn, at his side. Larry and JoAnn had been doing all they could to keep his pancreatic cancer at bay that he was diagnosed with three years ago. Together they greeted each new day as a victory and made it a point to live life to the fullest.
Larry was a lifelong Crookston resident, born on October 18, 1949, to Melvin and Helen (Bjorgo) Ranum. He was educated in the Crookston school system and graduated from Central High School, where he played hockey and football, as a member of the Class of 1969. Larry was a hard worker all his life. His first job was on his grandpa and grandma’s farm where he proudly earned his first paycheck at the age of seven! That was the springboard for Larry to go on to employment in the construction field; later working for the Otter Power Company, and then as a mechanic for Central Pro. In 1972 Larry began working for the local John Deere Implement dealership before moving on to the Polk County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator in 1985.
On May 30, 1999, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Kathleen (Wald) Schultz as they pledged their love in Crookston’s Mount St. Benedict Chapel. Their life together for the next twenty-two years would prove to be one adventure after another. Trips on the ‘Harley’ weren’t for the faint of heart as they spent parts of three years traveling the Mississippi from its very beginnings in Itasca Park, MN to the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans, a journey of 2,350 miles. They also rode through many other parts of the country, sometimes with no plans other than just taking a few ‘roads less traveled.
Retirement from the Highway Department in 2015 meant Larry had more time for tinkering in his shop while testing out his creative mind full of brilliant ideas; being a supportive fan in the stands at his grandkids’ games, and playing a fiercely competitive game of cornhole. He enjoyed weekends spent camping with his family at Little Elbow Lake’s Camp Corbett, working on area farms, and driving a beet truck every fall during harvest. Mowing lawns ranked right up there with other favorite pastimes, and he was often kidded that he must have a GPS system hardwired into his mower because his cut lines were perfectly straight!
For many years Larry was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish in Crookston and was now a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fertile. He was a 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and was honored with an award for actively recruiting members to the organization.
Larry was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa; and his kindhearted, gentle nature lent itself to always being there to help others in time of need. Being a mentor to his grandkids meant everything to him because they truly were his world.
Larry is lovingly survived by JoAnn, his soulmate and best friend; children: Lisa (Eric) Schultz of Twin Falls, ID, Patti (Shad) Hawkey of Tea, SD, Joe Ranum of St, Cloud, MN, and Maggie (Guy) Haskett of Mentor, MN; step-son, Marc (Melou) Schultz of Abu Dahbi, UAE; grandchildren: Stephen Schultz of Oklahoma City, OK, Riley Schultz (special friend, Brylee Lessard) of Grand Forks, ND; Tanner and Isaac Schultz of Twin Falls, ID, Tucker, Ryen, Brody, and Lexie Hawkey of Tea, SD, and Gavin, Alec, Macie, and Ensley Haskett of Mentor; brother, Bill Ranum of Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Janet Wald of Cokato, MN; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Ranum; mother and stepfather, Helen and Bruno Jurchen; stepson, Nicholas Schultz; brother, James Ranum; sister-in-law, Bev Ranum; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald Wald and Leo (Dianne) Wald. May God richly bless the memory of Larry Duane Ranum.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Larry will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 17, 2022, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fertile, MN, with The Rev. Larry Delaney, presiding. Visitation with the family will be at St. Joseph’s on Wednesday, February 16th, from 5-7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and visitation will continue for the hour before the Mass Thursday. Both services will be live-streamed by going to Larry’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view.
Messages of condolence may be given at www.stenshoelhouske.com
