Lawrence “Larry” T. Hill, 78, passed away on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at Highland Chateau in St. Paul, Minnesota. He experienced multiple strokes since October 2021 with subsequent hospitalizations and care center stays. He died of resulting complications while under hospice care at Highland Chateau.
Larry was born at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota on October 29, 1945 to Reino and Inga (Wuonola) Hill. He was the oldest of five children. Larry was baptized and confirmed at the Finnish Apostolic Church in rural Cokato. He attended Gunnary School followed by Annandale Public School, and graduated from Annandale High School in 1963.
Larry lived on the farm near Annandale all his life until his last couple years. Larry had a variety of jobs over his lifetime including driving a milk truck for Maple Lake creamery, doing sod work, dismantling grain bins, custom hay baling, milking cows for neighborhood farmers, working the family dairy farm, and caring for his parents in their later years. He worked for many years at Gold’N Plump Chicken in Cold Springs and part-time at Carlson’s Orchard in French Lake.
Larry enjoyed spending time with family and friends. This included attending family gatherings, auctions, garage sales, Swappers Meet, community events, visiting over the phone, and driving around to check in with friends. He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake where he served as head usher until his more recent health problems.
Larry is survived by his sister, Lora (Stephen) Loch; brothers Lowell (Carol) Hill and Lester (Linnea) Hill; nephews Adam (Rachel) Loch and Alex (Bret Amundson) Loch; niece Andrea (Jeff) Dunnigan; several great nephews and great nieces; “brother”- cousin Stan Wonola, and other relatives and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Reino and Inga Hill; sister, Lois Evelyn Hill, and “sister” – cousin Sharon Fredricks.
Visitation will take place at the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato on Monday, Nov. 13 from 4-7 PM, followed by a prayer service at 7 PM. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Nov 14 at 2 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in French Lake, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Pastor Jerome Nikunen will be officiating. Memorials may be given to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in French Lake Township.