Larry Weber
Larry Dean Weber, a lifelong resident of Phillips County, died Sept. 27, 2021, in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 77. Larry was born in Holyoke on March 7, 1944, to Arthur and Berneice (Einspahr) Weber.
Larry and his two sisters grew up on the family farm in Amherst. He was an active 4-H and FFA member, showing cattle at the local, state and national levels. His passion for everything agriculture began at a young age and was passed on to his entire family.
Larry attended school in Amherst, including Amherst public school and St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School, until he transferred to Holyoke High School where he graduated in 1962. He attended Northeastern Junior College and was a member of the livestock judging team. Larry returned to run the family farm when his father died unexpectedly.
Larry married Sharon Kay Gilliland on Dec. 26, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke. They had three children who all grew up on the family farm, including Marc Dean in 1969, Marla Kay in 1970 and Monica Ann in 1976.
The family continued the tradition of showing cattle, and many family vacations were spent at the Colorado State Fair and National Western Stock Show. This passion continues today as his grandchildren show at many shows around the country. One of his proudest moments was when his grandson Tyler won Grand Champion Steer at the Colorado State Fair in 2008, but in his mind his grandkids were always champions.
Larry was a farmer and rancher for more than 56 years, still going to the farm to work on projects up until his death. Once Marc graduated from college, he and Larry formed a partnership, continuing to farm, and were also very successful in raising and selling show cattle around the country.
His recent proudest accomplishments with Marc were raising many champions which included the Reserve Grand Champion Steer at the National Western Stock Show in 2015, the Grand Champion Steer at the National Western Stock Show in 2016, many other state champions in Texas and Arizona, and recently winning the Indiana State Fair in August of 2021.
Larry was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst and was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Larry was one of the first members of the Amherst Ag 4-H Club and later was a leader for the club when his children were members. Larry was a member of the American Hereford Association and the American Simmental Association. He was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1967. Larry was also a retired member of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department.
Larry and Sharon moved from the farm to Holyoke in 1994. Larry still continued to help Marc on the farm and help with calving season. Larry was a huge supporter of the Phillips County Fair and the 4-H and FFA programs, as he saw what these programs have done for the youth of the community.
Larry and Sharon were Denver Broncos ticket holders and loved to cheer them on each week, either in person or in their living room. He was also an avid supporter of Holyoke Dragons athletics! He loved to cheer on his children and grandchildren and rarely missed a game. Some of his fondest moments were traveling to the state basketball tournament to cheer on the Dragons and his grandchildren.
His family was his pride and joy, and he loved to watch them in all of their activities. “Papa,” as his grandchildren affectionately called him, always loved to play jokes on them and share his lunch with them in the combine, tractor or truck. His love for his family was one of his greatest accomplishments.
Larry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon of Holyoke; three children, Marc, Marla and husband Kris, and Monica and husband Tim, all of Holyoke; seven grandchildren, Tyler Camblin, Kaylee Camblin, Cash Weber, Colby Weber, Cruse Weber, Tenley Becker and Maesa Becker, all of Holyoke; sisters, Elaine Pugh of Holyoke and Betty Schnitker of Wichita, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Shirley Smidt of Cozad, Nebraska, and Karen Anderson of Greeley; brother-in-law, Larry Gilliland of Loveland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Berneice Weber; mother-and father-in-law, Fern and Vern Gilliland; brothers-in-law, Al Anderson, LaDean Smidt and Dick Schnitker; sister-in-law, Sandra Gilliland; and nephew Michael Schnitker.
The funeral service was held Oct. 1 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke, with interment at Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.