Lawrence G. Nygren

Lawrence “Larry” George Nyren of Devils Lake ND passed away on Wednesday, November 6, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks ND with loving family at his side at the age of 83.

Lawrence George Nygren was born August 12, 1941, to George and Margaret (Gunderson) Nygren at the hospital in Lakota ND. He grew up on a farm between Lankin and Adams ND. He attended grade school at Hoff County School in Norton District 70. He graduated as valedictorian of the 8th grade out of 81 boys and girls in that area. He chose to go to high school in Park River ND, as they had an agricultural program, and Larry had an interest in farming and graduated in 1959.

After finishing high school, he farmed for some local farmers for several years. He decided farming was not his choice of profession. In 1963, he decided to go to Molar Barber College in Fargo. After graduating, he worked in the Fargo area as a barber for a brief time and then eventually moved to Devils Lake to further his career. He started his profession as a barber in Devils Lake at the Mayor Hotel until the hotel started on fire and burned down. He then bought a barber shop on Main Street in Devils Lake and barbered there until he retired in 2008. He continued barbering until his death where he went to nursing homes, filling in at other barber shops when needed and continuing to give haircuts to lifelong customers in his home, so he put in over 45 years of pursuing his profession.

Larry met the love of his life, Betty Knutt, in May of 1965. They were united in marriage on October 1`, 1966, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. They remained in Devils Lake where they made their home. They welcomed a daughter Wendy and a son Lonny. They gained a son-in-law, Wendell (Olson) Nickerson in 1995 but became a part of their lives eight years prior. Wendy and Wendell had two daughters, Larissa and Alayna. Lonny has a son, Gavyn, which made Grandpa proud to carry on the Nygren name. He gained a great grandson in June of this year and a great granddaughter on the way in December.

Larry was a faithful member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He was also active in the Kiwanis Club. He had served a number of years in the National Guard.

Larry was so proud of his children and grandchildren and attending everything he possibly could of their activities from concerts, ball games, dance shows and all. He was proud of all they accomplished. He enjoyed camping with the family in the summers with campfires, games, and reminiscing. He enjoyed the holidays/celebrations getting together with family and friends. He enjoyed going for coffee and breakfast and meeting up with friends. He loved attending car races and watching NASCAR on TV. He also liked watching his favorite football team-Minnesota Vikings. He loved bowling, which he did for 50 years. He attended Devils Lake basketball games for a number of years. His favorite hobbies were repairing and selling bicycles and trailers. He started this hobby from his father-in-law. Larry truly enjoyed riding his motorcycles and did that up to this past year. We have lost someone truly special, and he will be forever in our hearts.

Larry was a genuine friend to everyone he met and is survived by his loving family which includes his wife, Betty of 58 years; daughter Wendy Olson (Wendell Nickerson) of Devils Lake; son Lonny of Grand Forks, granddaughter Larissa Olson (Kesad Schmidt) and their son Rueben of Devils Lake; granddaughter Alayna (Treyson) Morrow and their daughter on the way of Fessenden, ND; grandson Gavyn Nygren of Fargo; sister-in-law LaVern Knutt and her children Kevin (Denise) Knutt and family, Kristy (Michael) Kuni and family; niece Beverly and nephew Joseph Getzloff and his daughters and their families of Tulsa, OK and many special cousins of his and Betty’s, as well as his coffee and breakfast friends.

Larry is reunited with his parents, brother Roger, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Clara Knutt, brother-in-law Robert Knutt and sister-in-law and her husband Delores and Arthur Getzloff.

Casket Bearers: Kevin Knutt, Arnold Sommerfeld, George Sommerfeld, Randy Ystaas, Robin Gunderson, Roger Gunderson, Wendell Nickerson, and Brandon Straus. Honorary Bearers will be all of Larry’s coffee and breakfast buddies. Music by Dr. Necito Montaniel, Dennis Aardahl and Jean Aardahl. Reading Scriptures will be Alayna and Treyson Morrow.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery.