Rapid City – Larry Kannenberg, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Rapid City, SD. Larry was born January 14, 1938, in Luverne, MN to parents Alfred and Alice Kannenberg. He lived for a few years near the Mississippi River in Rock Island, IL before moving to Sioux Falls. His dad Alfred instilled in Larry a love of the outdoors that would last his entire life. Larry often spoke of his early years living in west Sioux Falls, when his dad would hand him a 0.22 caliber rifle and tell him to walk out into the nearby cornfield and “shoot us a pheasant for supper.”

In his early years, Larry was a member of the Sons of Norway choir and would remain an accomplished vocalist throughout his life, singing on an amateur level in choirs and professionally in several bands.

Larry graduated from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1956. While still in High School, he purchased a 1956 Ford. To use the vernacular of the time, he “smoothed it out and frenched the lights,” a practice of customizing cars that was popular at the time. Larry’s dad, as well as his uncle Mervin Kannenberg, loved boats, and Larry speculated that he and his cousin, Denny Kannenberg, were the first people to ever water-ski on Brant Lake.

Larry often drove his ’56 to Kirk’s Drive Inn, where the love of his life, Jeane Kannenberg, worked as a carhop. Larry and Jeane were married on September 27, 1957, and remained happily married for nearly 69 years.

In the early 1960’s, Larry became a routeman for Fenn’s Brothers (That Good Ice Cream). He was transferred to Watertown, SD, where he and Jeane lived for a few years, raising their young family of three kids, Mitch, Jay, and Jill. While there, a friend taught Larry to play the guitar, and Larry joined Dave’s band. Dave & the Squires were a locally popular band and played at clubs throughout south-eastern South Dakota.

In 1965, Larry accepted a position with Marigold Foods as a route salesman in Huron, SD. He and Jeane raised their three children (Mitch, Jay, and Jill) in Huron. Larry eventually purchased the route business from Marigold, and he and Jeane formed and operated Huron Dairy. Huron Dairy served customers in Huron and surrounding communities. While in Huron, Larry formed another band, the Country Generation, playing in clubs in the Huron area.

In the late 1980’s, Larry sold Huron Dairy to Lakeside Dairy/Land O’ Lakes (LOL), and in 1992, accepted a position as regional manager for LOL in Rapid City. Larry and Jeane bought a “home in the Hills” where they fell in love with the peaceful setting and local wildlife.

Larry finished his career in the dairy food industry while in Rapid City, retiring from LOL. He continued working part-time jobs (Dakota Autoglass and Victoria’s Gardens) to, in his words, “fund his playtime.” He loved life, and had many passions, including walleye fishing, downhill skiing, singing, and playing guitar in bands, travel, waterfowl and deer hunting, and classic cars.

Larry had a lifelong friendship with his brother-in-law, Ronald Peterson (Sandy) of Pierre, and he and Ron had many memorable walleye fishing trips and Black Hills deer hunting trips. Larry and Jeane were active members of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Rapid City. In recent years, Larry enjoyed having coffee at the Millstone with his dear friend, Bill Schneider.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents (Al and Alice), his sister Barb Renville and her husband Ramon (Fish Lake, MN), sister Sandra Peterson (Ronald, Pierre, SD), and son-in-law John Doom.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeane Kannenberg, his three children, son Mitch Kannenberg (Cindy), son Jay Kannenberg (Karen), daughter Jill Kannenberg-Doom (John), grandchildren Ginny Moser (Nick), Derek Kannenberg, Alex Kannenberg, Coal Kannenberg (Elaine), Zack Reimer, Chasity Erickson (Clint), and great grandchildren Carter Kannenberg, Nova Kannenberg, and Corbin and Shila Erickson, sister-in-law Beverly McCauley (Richard) and sister-in-law Colleen Helmstetter (Richard). Larry is also survived by nieces and nephews Rhonda and Jeff (his sister Sandy’s children) and Lance, Kristi, Sandy, and David (his sister Barb’s children).

His visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with his Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 am.