Obituary: Lariman Pieterick

Lariman Pieterick

Rugby, N.D.

Lariman "Larry" George Pieterick passed away on June 22, 2024 at Trinity Hospital in Minot. Larry was born to George and Eudora in Rugby, N.D. on May 11, 1937. Larry grew up on a farm in Union Township in Pierce County, attending rural country school in Union township and graduating from Wolford High School in 1955. He married Eileen Kjetlien on June 14, 1959 at First Lutheran Church in Rugby. They have one son, Brent, who was born in 1963. He was a proud dad and grandpa, and especially enjoyed watching their sporting events and activities.

Larry was proud to serve our country as a member of the National Guard in Fort Riley, Kan., which was activated during the Berlin Crisis. He was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Larry was active in the Kane-Ellingson American Legion Post #217 in Knox and longtime member of their honor guard. He earned his pilot's license at the age of 18, which started a life-long love of aviation flying his Aeronca Champ.

Larry started farming at a young age. As the oldest of ten kids, he had a big role in helping to manage his parent's farm operation and later established his own south of Wolford and west of Rugby, along with his wife, Eileen. He was actively involved in the community and served on various boards, including the Wolford Lutheran Church, Township Board and FHA board. He enjoyed volunteering, especially popping popcorn and visiting with residents in Long Term Care at Rugby Hospital. His passion for farming extended to many years of serving on the board and volunteering at the Dale & Martha Hawk Farm Museum. The Wolford school was a large part of Larry's life as he served on the school board for many years and was a bus driver for 42 years, as a route driver and for school sporting events. He especially enjoyed watching high school basketball, traveling around the state to cheer on the Wolford Wolves. Over the course of 30 years Larry enjoyed helping families as he worked with Niewoehner Funeral Home to help with funerals and many of the necessary tasks to make them memorable.

Larry is survived by wife, Eileen, of 65 years, son Brent (Andrea) of Lake Park, Minn. and four grandchildren: Logan Pieterick of Austin, Texas; Megan Bateman (Jack) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Macie Klein of Fargo, N.D.; and Carissa Pieterick of Bismarck, N.D. He also leaves his siblings, Paulette McCann, Arroyo Grande, Calif.; Peggy Maczko, Fountain, Colo.; Gordon and his wife LaNeta Pieterick, Rugby, N.D.; Thomas and his wife Brenda Pieterick, Bismarck, N.D.; Harry and his wife Mary, New Rockford, N.D.; and Richard and his wife Denise, Mesa, Ariz. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Dode, siblings Patti Pieterick, David Pieterick, Mike Pieterick, nephew Jeff Pieterick and brother-in-laws Bill McCann and Ed Maczko.

Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church in Rugby on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2 p.m. Burial followed at Marker Lutheran Cemetery, a stone's throw from his farm, with military honors being provided by Clarence Larson Post #23 American Legion and the North Dakota Military Honors Detail.

Visitation was at the Niewoehner Funeral Home on Friday from 5-7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. and an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Arrangements by Niewoehner Funeral Home of Rugby, N.D.