Larry W. Jelsma

Larry William Jelsma, age 75, passed away with his family at his side on Friday, June 17, 2022 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.  A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. 

Larry was born on February 12, 1947 in Hettinger, ND to Andrew and Marjorie (Huber) Jelsma.  As a young child his family made their home in Sioux Falls, SD. It is here that Larry was raised and received his education.  He continued his education at SDSU in Brookings earning a bachelor degree in Horticulture.

Larry worked for the City of Sioux Falls, first in the parks department and then in 1997 moved to the city water plant until his retirement in 2007. While working for the city, Larry also worked at Knox Lumber and Sutherlands Lumber Company for a number of years. 

Larry was united in marriage with Vicki Marie Harsma on October 8, 2005 in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple loved traveling around the country, especially camping. Larry had a passion for the great outdoors and was blessed with a great sense of humor. Larry never stopped his love of learning, he was always reading, (his bible along with many history books) even after his college days were over, he continued taking college classes online and expanding his knowledge.   He was a loving husband and friend who will be dearly missed.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Vicki Jelsma, Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Robert Jelsma and his wife, Nina, Sioux Falls, SD; Vicki’s siblings, Rick Harsma and his wife, Theresa, Owatonna, MN, Lori Grimes and her husband, Steve, Sioux Falls, and James Harsma and his wife, Julie, Brandon, SD; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Marjorie Jelsma; and his parents-in-law, Gerald and Evelyn Harsma.