LARRY GARLAND

Larry Garland was born April 25,1943, to Orval and Ethel Miller Garland in Bertha, Minnesota. He attended Lincoln Elementary School in Staples, Minnesota and graduated from Staples High School in 1961. Larry attended St. Cloud State College in St. Cloud, MN, graduating in 1965. On August 7,1965, he was united in marriage to Joyce Smith at the Alliance Church in Staples. They moved to Slayton, MN where Larry taught Trigonometry and Algebra at Slayton High School, he also coached seventh/eighth grade football. He furthered his education and became the Computer Coordinator at the high school, setting up computer labs and teaching computer classes. He also taught computer courses at Worthington Junior College. He enjoyed sports and was the score keeper for the basketball team for many years. Larry was honored for his explementary teaching with the teacher of the year award in 1994. Larry started his own construction business, he built many homes in the Slayton and surrounding areas during the summer months, which also provided employment for his teacher co-workers and some of his students. He built a dentist office and a house for his brother in Staples. He assisted with the construction of the Lake Sarah Baptist Church in rural Slayton MN. Larry was a member of the Slayton Assembly of God Church and served as a Board Member and Treasurer. He became a member of the Lake Sarah Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee. Larry went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 18, 2026.

He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce, his children: Michael (Deanne) Garland, Spirit Lake, IA, Debra (Jeff) Copple, Idaho Falls, ID, and Diane Scarset, Slayton, MN. Seven grandchildren: Michael Jr. (Stephanie) Garland, Cory (Morgan) Garland, Zachary (Rachel) Garland, Kristi (Logan) Pederson, Anthony (Fatima) Stomberg, Austin (Galiya) Scarset, and Chantel Scarset. great-grandchildren: Nathaniel and Kayden Garland, Jemma, Jacoba, Amelia, River and expected baby Garland in October, Arkin Pederson, Ayla Stomberg, Elijah, and Judah Scarset. Brother, William Garland, Chandler, AZ. Sisters-in-law: Kathryn Garland, Litchfield, MN, Mary Heltemes, West Bend, WI, Karen (Harold) Duda, Keystone, SD, Claudia Craft, Pillager, MN, and Nancy Foudray, Cloquet, MN. Brothers-in-law: George Smith, Staples, MN, and Greg (Becky) Smith, Staples, MN. Many nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Janet Grondahl, brothers: Ray Garland and Herb Garland, brothers-inlaw: Cloyce Grondahl, Dennis Smith, Gene Smith, sisters-inlaw: Helen Garland, Sharon Garland, Mikki Smith and Darlene Smith, grandson, Daniel Garland, and granddaughter, Scarset.

Memorial Services were at Lake Sarah Baptist Church in rural Slayton, MN on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Kory Tedrick officiating and music by the Lake Sarah Praise Team. The honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren. Interment was at Lake Sarah Baptist Cemetery in rural Slayton, MN.

Visitation was Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Lake Sarah Baptist Church from 4-6 p.m. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.