Larry Dean Forbes, 69, De Smet, and a lifelong resident of Spirit Lake Township, passed away August 26, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family after a short, but courageous battle with leukemia. A funeral service was held on August 30, 2016, at Presbyterian Reformed Church, Willow Lake, SD, with a burial at a later date. On-line condolences may be left at the Osthus Funeral Home.
Larry was born on March 17, 1947, in Willow Lake, South Dakota and was the oldest child of Virgil and Mabel (Tschetter) Forbes. He attended country school at Shady Lawn #8 through the eighth grade. He then attended and graduated from Willow Lake High School, where according to him, he spent too much time in the Ag Shop.
He married “the good lookin’ girl from Bancroft”, Cindy Jencks, on December 30, 1967 in Bancroft, SD.
Larry started farming and raising cattle after high school. He took great pride in his cow herd and enjoyed checking the cows with his dogs. During his younger years, Larry did custom hay hauling and also owned one of the first big round balers in the area. Larry was very mechanical and was an excellent welder. His dad, brother, and kids depended on him to keep things around the farm running. Larry was known for his love of candy and was affectionately known as “the Candy Man” to many of his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed attending his grandkids’ events, watching NASCAR, talking politics, watching Westerns, reading, and had developed an eye for photography.
He served on the Willow Lake School Board for 8 years. Larry was also a proud member of the Kingsbury Cattlemen’s Association and served on the Grace Lutheran Church Council in Willow Lake.
Larry is survived by his two dogs, Pete and Poco; his four children, Troy (Pam) Forbes, De Smet; Stephanie Forbes (Paul Panning), Hamburg, MN; Jill (Jason) Sommer, Parkston, SD; Jeremy (Jamie) Forbes, De Smet; grandchildren Wyatt, Cody, Jaycie, Abby, Carter, Claire, Cooper, and Tabor; his mother, Mabel Forbes, De Smet; brother, Lyle (Cheryl) Forbes, Bancroft; sister, Linda (Darrel) Mandernach, De Smet; brothers-in-law, Terry Jencks, Shakopee, MN; and Randy (Karen) Jencks, Arlington, SD; Tim Reuter, Dell Rapids, SD; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Forbes, on May 8, 1991; his father, Virgil Forbes; sisters, Sharri Zell and Darlene Reuter; and his father and mother-in-law, Hollis and Corlyss Jencks.