Larry G. Rohde, Bismarck passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at CHI St. Alexius, Bismarck at the age of 73 following chemo weakness and a massive stroke on Sunday, September 15. There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends on Friday, October 4, 2019 at the Peace Lutheran Church, Lincoln from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. A Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Richardton with Rev. Kevin Nelson officiating.
Larry Gene Rohde was born to Louie and Violet (Christensen) Rohde on October 26, 1945 in Dickinson. He was raised south of Halliday and attended country school through eighth grade and high school at Halliday High School. He completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Dickinson State University. He began his 23 year career as a Junior High and High School Instructor in Zap, followed by many years at Halliday and culminated in Golden Valley in the Spring of 1982. He also taught hunter safety and drivers education for many years.
On June 18, 1983, he married Jolene Frederick of Richardton at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and they made their home in Bismarck. He had a short career in the pathology department of St. Alexius Medical Center before beginning a career with Melroe Manufacturing which evolved to Bobcat, Ingersal Rand and Doosan until the closure of the Bismarck Plant in December 2009.
He was an avid Lionel Train Collector and coin collector, an amazing cook and could fix essentially anything, once repairing his Mother-In-Law’s toaster oven with a paperclip and solder. The greatest blessing in his life was the birth of his son Lear Joel on July 23, 2004. With his retirement and his son beginning grade school, he became his son’s school transportation, served on the Apple Creek School Board and was a frequent substitute teacher.
Larry battled Thyroid Cancer which metastasized, or moved into, his lungs for over four years, in every effort to see his son grow up. The cancer was discovered in June of 2015, he beat it with radiation and it returned in vengeance in 2017. In the quests to be with Lear, he pursued experimental palliative chemotherapy treatment through the Mayo Clinic. In the past 15 years, they made many memories from fishing every summer, shooting at the shooting range, to smoking a cigar and most recently learning to drive.
He is survived by his wife, Jolene and his son, Lear. He was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joe and Beatrice Frederick. He is also survived by two awesome friends, who were by his side for support, gossip and coffee through his cancer struggles, Doug Friez of Bismarck and Steve Hirsch of Mandan to which we are immensely thankful for their support and friendship.
He will be greatly missed and always loved, until we meet again. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
