Larry DeHemmer
Larry DeHemmer
Larry DeHemmer
Larry DeHemmer
Larry DeHemmer
Larry DeHemmer

Obituary of Larry John DeHemmer

 

Larry John DeHemmer, age 80, Plymouth, MN passed away on January 22, 2025. His parents Virgie and Herbert raised their family primarily in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood of Minneapolis where he graduated from West High School in 1962 and later attended the University of Minnesota.

While he started a degree in forestry, Larry put his interest and talents involving all things mechanical to work with a career in mechanical design. His knack for making things fit and work as they should supported many engineering companies around the Twin Cities including 3M, Graco, SciMed and GSI Lumonics. Larry’s easy-going personality, creativity and ability to solve problems and fix just about anything made his vocation a perfect fit and also endeared him to his coworkers, friends and family.

He lived a life of commitment to Paula (Verstegen), his wife and partner of 56 years, and their shared interests and experiences which rounded his personal life. While he was proud of the home he built in 1979 – the first in the development (previously in rural Plymouth) near Medicine Lake - Larry often said that he was most content when he was in the woods and with nature. He was an avid duck hunter and fisherman and enjoyed time at the family cabin.

Larry also loved to travel. He and Paula shared in the adventures of visiting Russia and Eastern Block Europe before and after the Wall came down. They also visited Italy, Panama, Portugal and Spain as well as setting out together on journeys throughout Asia visiting Cambodia, Hong Kong and Thailand. Larry was fascinated by automobiles and that intrigue turned into a 25-year annual trip to the Indianapolis 500 for him and Paula.

Larry could do just about anything that he set his mind to. However, in 2017, he was diagnosed with a progressive brain disease (ultimately, Lewy Body Dementia), which gradually degraded his memory and his body. Many times, the disease also ravages a person’s personality and mood. Fortunately, Larry remained even-tempered and observant. Thanks to his health care professionals who cared for and treated his symptoms as well as the staff at Park’s Place, he was able to live his last years comfortably.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Paula and his sisters Lisa (Shorewood, MN) and Lynn (California).

 

A celebration of his life will be held at

the Cremation Society of Minnesota at 7110 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435

on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

A brief program with speakers will begin at 6:00 p.m. Appetizers will be served.

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