Laurence McGill

Laurence (Larry) Oliver McGill was born on May 10th, 1919 at home in Silver City, Iowa and went to meet Jesus on December 13th, 2017.

His parents were Martin James McGill and Manoah May Wheeler McGill. The family moved to Hollandale, MN in 1926.  Larry was baptized and confirmed at Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, MN.  He attended Westside Hollandale School through the eighth grade.  He worked on the farm until 1935.  Then he went to work as a farm hired hand until 1938.  After that he worked for Davis Tree Expert Company of Kent, Ohio.

On May 18th, 1940 he married Ethel Irene Peterson and worked with Ethel’s folks on their farm.  Son Dennis was born on May 17th, 1944.  He went to work for Wilson Company for 6 years, Community Oil for 9 years, the Minneapolis Star Tribune for 23 years, retiring in 1978.  Although this period of his life was extremely busy, he took time to spend with his family camping and boating.  This included the Austin Boat Club where he and Ethel met many life-long friends.  After retiring he went to work driving school bus for 17 years retiring at the age of 75.  When he retired from driving, the kids on his bus chipped together and bought him a retirement gift.

Then it was time for him and Ethel to travel.  Hawaii, 5 countries in Europe, and the Holy Land, to mention a few.  They also spent several winters in Texas and Arizona.  In addition to travel, Larry enjoyed gardening, fishing, and making the best pumpkin pie, rhubarb strawberry jam, and potato cakes.

Ethel went to be with the Lord on March 4th, 2010 after a fight with brain cancer.  He was also preceded in death by all of his siblings, Ester, Nell, Georgie, Albert, Wilbur, Lula, Earl, Opal, John, and Basil.

He is survived by his wife Maurine, son Denny, daughter in law Nancy, his grandchildren Jody, Courtney, Kelly(Fred) and Ryan (Courtney); his great grandchildren, Cody, Zachary, Kathryn, Calvin, Kole, Patryk, Freddie, Kaydlyn, Kinley and Camilla; Maurine's children: Jan Pappin (Bill), Sandra Russo (Joe) and Arlo Larson (Sheila).

On September 22nd, 2012 Larry married Maurine Larson in the Chapel at Thorncrest Retirement Community.  Since they were married they traveled to the Florida Keys,  Alaska, and California.

He was active in the Kiwanis. He and his son Denny rang bells for the Salvation Army every year for over 20 years with other members of the Kiwanis.  He was a member of the Elks and Moose clubs for several years.

Getting the family together was very important to him.  He organized the McGill family reunion for over thirty years through this year.  He would reserve the space at Edgewater Park and send out the invitations by email.

Larry had no idea what a positive impact he had on so many people throughout his life.  When he decided to go into palliative care, even the doctors who had only known him for a week got tears in their eyes.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 18 at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN.   Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17th at Bonnerup Funeral Home and an hour before the celebration of life at Grace Lutheran Church.

Memorials suggested  to Grace Lutheran Church of Albert Lea.