Larry Hasz

Dates

Obituary

Larry Hasz, 79, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Monday, December 12, 2022, at his home in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 20, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Larry Hasz was born July 28, 1943, to Arnet and Irene (Schoppert) Hasz in Mitchell, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm west of Loomis and attended Liberty country school. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1961, then attended Dakota Wesleyan University and graduated in 1965 with a degree in Business.

While at Dakota Wesleyan, Larry met Carol Malde and they were married on July 18, 1965. The couple moved to Yankton where Larry served as the assistant business manager for the Yankton School District until May 1966. They then moved back to Mitchell, where Larry worked for Jerry Ross Accounting before going to live and work on the Hasz family farm.

He and Carol raised three daughters on the farm, instilling a strong work ethic in them that filled him with pride. Larry enjoyed singing in church, harmonizing with his baritone voice. He shared this love of music with his daughters who all developed a deep appreciation for it. Larry loved attending musical performances, especially all of his daughters’ school events, as well as seeing numerous “famous” people perform at the Corn Palace.

Larry loved meeting new people wherever he went—from visitors at his church to complete strangers in big cities. Always eager to engage in conversations with folks he didn’t know, Larry learned to appreciate people from all walks of life with varying backgrounds. He was always curious and taught through example how to learn the best about the people who cross our paths.

Larry and Carol eventually moved into town in Mitchell in 2014. On rainy days and during non-planting or harvesting times, he enjoyed short road trips throughout South Dakota and neighboring states. He still helped his son-in-law with planting and harvesting and puttered around the farm whenever he could.

He had many interests throughout his life. Having served in the South Dakota National Guard as a member of the 665th Ordnance Company for six years, Larry had a deep appreciation for military history. He loved seeing old military planes and would drive hours just to see one on exhibit. Every day in his later years, he could be found in his recliner, reading crime, western, and military novels. Larry also enjoyed spending time with his group of coffee friends at Cubby’s.

He was a member of the Downtown First United Methodist Church and served on several church committees over the years. He also served on the Badger Township board for nearly 30 years.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; their three daughters: Denise (Steve) Hoffman and daughters Lily and Emma; Michele (Beth Dorward) and son Zoey; and Amanda (Jon) Thomas and son River; brother-in-law, David (Jann) Malde; sisters-in-law, Julie (Bruce) Fritzemeier and Lynette Ellefson; and many nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Phillip and Bertha Schoppert and David and Sophia Hasz, and his aunts and uncles.

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