Larry Mechtenberg

In Loving Memory Of

Larry Mechtenberg

Larry Mechtenberg, the son of Leo and Louise (Nuebel) Mechtenberg, was born on April 11, 1943 in Parkston, SD. He grew up in Parkston and attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Parkston High School in 1961. While in high school he lettered in both football and baseball 4 times and was an All-State basketball player. Larry played Jr. League baseball for the city of Parkston. He then attended Southern State Teachers  College in Springfield, SD and graduated with a BS Degree in Physical Education, Health, History and Biology. In college he played 4 years in football and basketball. Larry played centerfield for the state of South Dakota and in 1968 he played amateur baseball for the city of Parkston, which won the state title. After college he started his teaching career in Tyler, MN and was an athletic director and coached football, basketball, and baseball. Larry refereed several sports for 25 years and was recognized for his years of service by the Minnesota High School League. While in Tyler he was active in the Lion’s Club, Commercial Club, Fire Dept., church council, Aebleskiver Parade Chairman and was the Tyler Outstanding Club Member in 1989. Larry was united in marriage to Darlene (Bloch) Heezen “the love of his life”. After their marriage they lived on Lake Shetek, which he loved and his claim to fame was saving 3 people from drowning. In 1994 Larry played baseball for the state of South Dakota at the “Over 50 World Series” in Phoenix, AZ which they won and had the ring to prove it. After his teaching career he went into business in Tyler as the owner of the Ben Franklin store and part owner of the Kronberg Inn. He also worked for Bankers Life for 10 years. Before his retirement in 2002, Larry was a pioneer in the cellular phone service, by selling the concept to SW Minnesota that you could be driving your car or combining your corn and talk on your phone. After retirement he was active in various boards in Murray County and was the groundskeeper at the Slayton Country Club for several years. Larry passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Our House Hospice Home of Murray County at the age of 79. Larry loved traveling and was able to visit 41 states and 21 countries in his life. He also loved sailing and his favorite story was when a whale breached beside his 58 ft sail boat and almost capsized him and the time he was caught in the backwash of Hurricane Hugo. He enjoyed visiting with people and finding out where they were from. Larry also spent time restoring Farmall Tractors, gardening, doing yardwork and loved watching all sports, especially baseball.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Darlene Mechtenberg; 2 step-sons, “his boys”, Dr. Jon (special friend, Dr. Melissa Israel) Heezen and Dr. Jason (Angie) Heezen; ex-daughter-in-law, Darcie Spartz; 7 grandchildren, Cody (friend, Lisa Lommen) Heezen, Wyatt (Megan) Heezen, Emma (Ryan) Fouts, Maggie (Joel) Currie, Noah Heezen, Karlie (friend, Tyler Madison) Heezen and Morgan Heezen; great-grandson, Eli Fouts; sister, Sr. Carol Mechtenberg; sister-in-law, Marilyn Mechtenberg and 7 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Gerry and Joyce Mechtenberg and nephew, Scott Mechtenberg. 

Funeral Services

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Currie, MN at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 12, 2022 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting celebrating.  The organist is Patti LeClaire. The song leader is Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers are Larry DeBoer, Dan Schak, John Utoft, Jim Kopel, Robert “Butch” Mathiowetz and Les Wakefield. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery rural Slayton, MN.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 PM at IHM Catholic Church Currie, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Mechtenberg, please visit our floral store.