Larry W. Folkerts

Larry Folkerts, 71 of rural Lodgepole, Nebraska died Sunday morning, February 27, 2011 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Weyerts Immanuel Lutheran Church east of Gurley with Pastor Leon “Bud” Gillespie officiating. Burial will follow in the Weyerts Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to the Weyerts Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Friends may call from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.

Larry William Folkerts, the son of John H. and Effie (Frerichs) Folkerts was born November 13, 1939 in Sidney, Nebraska. He grew up on the family farm east of Gurley and attended District #69 grade school. He then attended and graduated from Lodgepole High School in 1957 where he played football.

After high school he worked with his father on the family farm. After his father’s death when Larry was in his early twenties, he took his father’s position with the Cheyenne County Roads Department. He found that working the farm, working for the county and helping his mother raise his two younger siblings was too much and gave up the county job. He later worked for the Garden County Roads Department for twenty years, as well as doing the farm work and being a caregiver to his mother.

Although he never married, Larry was a mentor and parent and grandparent figure to not only his siblings, but also other family members and friends. He was always willing to help out anyone at any time. Larry was an avid sports fan, especially Nebraska Women’s volleyball. He loved his animals, especially his horses and dogs.

Survivors include two sisters: Linda Hartwig of Torrington, WY and Jeneane Welshans of Benkelman, NE; one brother Dennis Folkerts of Alliance, NE and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Loretta.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Sidney is serving the Folkerts family.