Larry Sullivan, age 83, of Townsend

Lawrence Daniel “Larry” Sullivan     Lifelong Townsend resident, Larry Sullivan, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday morning, April 22, at Broadwater Health Center in Townsend at the age of 83. Dad was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, sibling, uncle and friend.     Larry was born January 7, 1934, in Townsend to Daniel and Marie Sullivan, the oldest of 5 children.     Dad grew up on a farm/ranch just north of Townsend on the Missouri River. Life on the farm was filled with hard work and responsibility as the eldest child, but also fun and laughter as part of a very close and extended Irish Catholic family. Dad’s siblings remember how he and his brother, Pete, shared a “bedroom” in the ranch bunkhouse with no electricity or running water for much of their childhood.     Larry attended schools in Townsend, where he made many lifelong friends, was a talented athlete in football and basketball, met his future wife, Louise, and even had a brief stint as a sports writer with “Sullivan’s Sports Slants” in the high school newspaper, The Old Baldy.    After graduating from high school, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 3½ years during the Korean War. Much of Dad’s tour of duty was spent at Fort Richardson outside Anchorage, Alaska. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1955 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. Dad was very patriotic all his life, and he felt his time in the military was one of the most important things he ever did.     On January 1, 1955, Larry married Louise Lillethun in the Army chapel at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The two were married for 61 years and raised 4 children, Michael, Kerry, Kris and Kelly.     After his military discharge, Larry and Louise returned to Montana to live. Dad loved to tell the story of when he came home from Alaska, he had to wade through the water and climb a ladder to get into the family’s ranch home outside Townsend. His dad was rebelling against the government to the very last minute about moving the farm buildings and house when the valley was flooded by the new Canyon Ferry Dam.     Once he was back in Montana, Larry attended Carroll College in Helena for 2 years as a history major and was also on Carroll’s football team, although he always joked that they only put him on the team because he had his own car and could drive players and equipment when needed. He was an avid Carroll College and Notre Dame University sports fan all his life.     In 1957, Dad decided to join his father on the family farm and eventually took it over when his dad retired. Larry enlarged and improved the original ranch holdings and actively farmed and raised cattle until the late 1970s.             After he sold most of the farm and ranch holdings and leased the remainder, Dad worked at a variety of jobs. He was employed at the Townsend lumber mill until he suffered a serious injury to his hand; he spent several years working as a carpenter with Terry Stocks and Mike Delger; and he studied for and became a realtor at Jepson Realty in Townsend for a few years. Dad was also instrumental in making the Broadwater County Fairgrounds what it is today, during his many years there as the groundskeeper. All the trees and grass out there are thanks to him.            After “retiring” from those jobs, Larry worked as a general handyman and small-job carpenter, well into his 70s’, for many Townsend people. He will be remembered by all as a man willing to take on any and all jobs and problems, and as a beloved caretaker of numerous, elderly Broadwater County residents. He was also a highly respected mentor and friend to many young people in the community, as well as his grandson, nephews and son-in-laws.             Dad was very involved in the community of Broadwater County all his life. He was a member and director of the Broadwater County Rodeo and Fair Boards for years; served on the city council of Townsend; served a term as mayor of Townsend in the 1960’s; was a member of the Chamber of Commerce; and was on the local museum board. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post in Townsend for more than 50 years. In addition, Dad was never afraid to voice his opinion on community concerns, whether it be in person, on the street, in city council and board meetings, or in letters to the editor (he is definitely chuckling up there as we write that!). Larry was also a devout and dedicated parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Townsend all his life.             Of all his legacies for his children and grandchildren, perhaps the most special to them is the cabin he built for them in the Deep Creek Canyon. All of the family, including great-grandchildren now, will continue to gather together there and treasure this cabin Dad gave to us for decades to come.             Larry was always surrounded by his many friends and family, who were drawn to him by his contagious laugh, wonderful sense of humor, and his warm and generous heart. Dad loved to shoot the breeze with everyone, whether it was on his daily trips to the grocery store or post office, playing pinochle, or just enjoying the day on his deck with his best buddy and constant companion, his dog, Bear.             Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, and his only son, Michael.             Larry is survived by his daughters Kerry (Jeff) Stocks, Evanston, WY, Kristine Sullivan, Townsend, and Kelly Sullivan (Jerry), Havre; grandchildren Brittany (Jacob) Szudera, Belgrade, Shane Kemmer (Mikaela), Havre, Kaitlin Stocks, Hohenwald, TN, Paige Stocks, Evanston, WY; great-grandchildren, Amaya, Brody, Cason and Drake Szudera; a brother Peter W. Sullivan (Barb), Helena; and 3 sisters Mary Pat Sullivan, Tucson, AZ, Gay Ann (Bob) Masolo, and Terry Love, Townsend.     The family would like to extend a special thank you to: Broadwater Health Center staff, especially Greg Sayers, and Dwight Thompson and staff for their wonderful care of Dad.            Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Stevenson Wilke Funeral home, 212 Broadway in Townsend. Following the viewing the family will gather in the Holy Cross Catholic Church basement, 101 S. Walnut St., in Townsend, for an Irish wake at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26^th, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 101 S. Walnut St. in Townsend. Burial will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial in the basement of Holy Cross Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Holy Cross Cemetery, PO Box 610, Townsend; Broadwater Co. Rural Fire Department, 130 S. Cedar St., Townsend; or an organization of your choice.

Service Schedule

Viewing

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

212 Broadway

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Wake

6:30 p.m.

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Holy Cross Catholic Church

101 South Walnut Street

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

Wednesday April 26, 2017

Holy Cross Catholic Church

101 South Walnut St

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Burial

Following the Mass

Wednesday April 26, 2017

Holy Cross Cemetery

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Reception

Following the Burial

Wednesday April 26, 2017

Holy Cross Catholic Church

101 South Walnut St

Townsend, Montana 59644

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