Larry Gene Kapfenstein was born December 19^th, 1949 to John and Elanor Kapfenstein in Wagner, SD. Larry is the youngest of 9 children. At a young age, his family moved to different areas in South Dakota. Fort Pierre was one of his fondest childhood memories. After his father was injured working on the Oahe Dam, his family moved to Rapid City where he met his high school sweetheart to be, Connie Payne. Larry and Connie were married in 1968, and soon after had three children, Bonnie, Jeramy, and Randy. In 2001 Larry and Connie made the selfless decision to adopt a young boy, Kory. Years later, they opened their door to new grandchildren by marriage, and then great grandchildren to follow, as well as another adopted child, Kelsey. Larry and Connie’s home was the hub of their entire family, whether it was a holiday celebration, birthdays, or just a random BBQ in which Larry would be manning the grill and enjoying the company.

Larry was a hard-working man, and he took pride in any kind of work he did. Besides the numerous home projects he completed, he worked in different states including Arizona, California, and Wyoming, but the majority of his working years were spent driving truck. With 50 plus years’ experience driving truck, the majority of that time was spent with the company Yellow Transportation. That company and his coworkers became his second family and he was so proud to wear that shirt and hat. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed the great outdoors so much. Camping and riding the Razr were his two most favorite outdoor activities. The smile on his face in the pictures you see while he was out in the woods said it all.

Larry left this life and into the next on July 14, 2023. He was surrounded by family and passed peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his wife Connie, children: Bonnie (Jim) Thovson, Jeramy (Stephanie) Kapfenstein, Randy Kapfenstein, Kory Kapfenstein, and Kelsey Kapfenstein; Brother Kenneth (Butch) Kapfenstein and sister Phillis Krauter-Martin, and numerous nieces and nephews; Grandchildren: Breyanna (Nick) Haugen, Garrett Burton, Jesse Kapfenstein, Blake Akers, Makayla Kapfenstein, Mackenzie Kapfenstein, and Caleb Kapfenstein, and many beloved great grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by his parents John and Elanor Kapfenstein, grandson Lucas Kapfenstein, siblings Marvin, Leona, Irene, Charles, Judy and Dennis.