Born December 7, 1937 in Sterling, Colorado
Larry was born the only son of Ed and Ruby Margritz who farmed their entire life. He had 3 sisters Shirley, Dona and Judy. The family crops in 1938 and 1939 were destroyed due to hail and insects so trying to find a better living they moved to Fairfield Montana during a snowstorm in February of 1940. The depression was upon everyone and Ed and Ruby were not spared. Another move in 1944 took the family to Darr, Nebraska where Larry’s dad again worked at farming. The crops were mainly corn and alfalfa. A better opportunity came along in 1945 and the family moved to a farm 3 miles east of Lexington, NE. Ed managed a 160 acre farm for George Garrison. In 1946 the landlord added on an indoor bathroom to the farm home.
Ed farmed corn, alfalfa, and beans and their income was subsidized by selling eggs and cream. They raised and sold a few pigs and had cows enough for their own milk. There were always lots of cats and dogs on the farm too. Ruby kept busy with her family as well as the large garden from which she canned most of the food for the year. She also raised around 200 chickens which she sold or canned and later was able to put them in a freezer. Larry grew up helping with the chores of the farm and graduated from Lexington High school. Although he left the farm and went to work in the city, he never really got the “farmer” out of his system.
Larry met Linda “the love of his life” and they were married in 1999. Larry entered his 40+ years of sobriety in 1983. He and Linda both attended “The Millard AA Club” where they were supported and where they also supported and sponsored numerous folks who worked the program there. Larry and Linda moved to Sebring, Florida after he retired. They thrived there while living their happy lives in retirement. Larry worked at a local golf course where he could golf as often as he wanted! Both Larry and Linda helped at the local prison ministry leading AA meetings for men and women there.
Linda passed away in January of 2015 and Larry moved back to Omaha to be closer to his kids and their families. He lived with his daughter Deb until moving to assisted living at Immanuel Courtyard in March of 2021. He learned to navigate “Zoom” meetings through the Covid pandemic. He still managed to attend AA meetings almost daily unless he was ill. He valued the AA program and loved the people he knew there. He celebrated 40 years of sobriety in October in 2023.
He enjoyed gardening and visiting with neighbors at Immanuel Courtyard. He especially enjoyed sitting in the courtyard working on his “tan” on sunny days. He looked forward to visits from his family and friends, and from Rosie the chocolate golden doodle who he helped to train.
Larry loved his family. He is survived by his six children: Dan (Alicia) Margritz, Deb Wiens, Diane Margritz Abrams, Dennis (Sheila) Margritz, Dorothy Cottrell, Katie (Michael) Jensen, Step children by Linda - Michelle (Mike) Winnegar, Shane (Kim) Buscher, 18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren, sister Judy (Jim) Kjar, numerous nieces and nephews.
CELEBRATION OF LARRY'S LIFE: Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 1:00pm at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel)
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Sienna Francis House
Braman Mortuary and Cremation Services
6505 South 144 St. / Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400
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