Lawrene "Larry" Manthe

Lawrene "Larry" Manthe, 69, Bismarck, was called to his heavenly home on December 10, 2007, following complications from heart surgery. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mandan with Rev. David Hein officiating. Burial will be at the ND Veteran's Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post #1326. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and will continue on Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Larry was born on April 8, 1938, to Walter and Irene Manthe in a farmhouse in the town of Leeds, Wisconsin. After his graduation from De Forest High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1956 and visited the Mediterranean and South America aboard the U.S.S. Lester. Following his discharge from the Navy, Larry attended the University of Hawaii, where he earned a degree in meteorology. In 1966-1967 he conducted research at Byrd Station, Antarctica. As a result of this service, a volcanic peak in the Hudson Mountains was named Mt. Manthe. His next position in meteorology was on Wake Island in the South Pacific. On his return to the U.S. mainland, he took a position with the National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois. In 1971, Larry was united in marriage to Kyu Ok ?Oki? Lee. The next year, their first daughter, Sandra, was born. Three years later, Larry and Oki were living in Bismarck, where their second daughter, Julie, was born. In all, Larry worked for the National Weather Service for 42 years, retiring in 2006. Larry spent his brief retirement in the pursuit of spiritual and academic growth. He was active in his church, serving on the evangelism committee at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mandan. He enjoyed fly fishing with friends, operating his ham radio, and studying all branches of science. He had a green thumb, patiently growing vegetables and roses every year. Larry also believed in the importance of history, volunteering his time to the North Dakota Archeological Association and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Larry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Oki, Bismarck; two daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Bill Pflipsen, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Sandra Manthe and James Powell, Dublin, Ireland; twin granddaughters, Maruna Manthe and Anna Mae Powell; two brothers, Duane Manthe, Garden, Michigan, and Roland Lynn Manthe, De Forest, Wisconsin; one sister, Jean Gerry Pauli, De Forest, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Larry will be remembered by his faith in God, and his quiet, gentle smile.

Lawrene "Larry" Manthe

April 8, 1938 - December 10, 2007