Lawrence “Larry” Fredrick Deutz

Lawrence “Larry” Fredrick Deutz, age 91, of Grafton, ND, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the First Care Health Center of Park River.
Larry was born on October 15, 1933 in Edgeley, North Dakota, the son of Walter Deutz and Dorothy (Fortin) Anderson.  He graduated from Edgeley High School in 1951 and, with no college education, began his career with Ulteig Engineering and Communications Consultants of Fargo, where he worked for 11 years in five states.  This is when he met a waitress, Erna Jean McNeel, working in her dad’s café near Alpine, Wyoming.  Many months later, they were married in that beautiful rustic, log cabin-style café in 1956.  In 1964, he accepted a position with Polar Communications in Park River, ND, where he worked for 32 years, with the last six years as CEO.
As an avid outdoorsman, Larry hunted and fished all of his life with his friends, relatives, children, and grandchildren.  He will be remembered for his great love and generosity towards his family.  He could conduct business with U.S. Senators and Congressmen in Washington D.C. and the next day laugh and shake dice over coffee with the guys at the cafes in Park River and Grafton.
He served on many boards and committees including Ducks Unlimited, church council, and the North Dakota Telephone Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Erna.  Also preceding him in death was his brother Richard (Dick) Arntz, Fargo, ND.  He is survived by his sister, Carol (Robert) Anderson, Fargo, ND and his children:  Darrell (Liane) Deutz, Grafton, ND; Dianne Mehlhoff, Minot, ND; Carla (Al) Dunker, Burlington, ND and Ronnie (Julie) Deutz, Fargo, ND; grandchildren:  Leah (Jim) Umbleby, Shane (Kristen) Dunker, Andrew Mehlhoff, Nick (Kelsey) Deutz, Spencer (Carley) Deutz and Emily (Nick) Stanislowski; great grandchildren: Drew, Adison, Ryder, Quin, Emmett, Theo, Cambelle, McCoy, Carter and Edward.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior the service at the church.  Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery of Park River, in the spring.  The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home Website.

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