Potter County News

Larry Trefz


larry trefz squareLarry Trefz, 68, Onaka, died Friday, Aug. 23, 2013 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 27 at the Tolstoy United Methodist Church with Pastor Julie Nygaard and Pastor Howard Grinager officiating.  Burial followed at German Zion Congregational Cemetery, Tolstoy.
Larry Henry Trefz, son of Hilda (Buechler) and Henry W. Trefz, was born Dec. 24, 1944 at Holy Infant Hospital in Hoven. He was brought up on the Trefz farm three miles NW of Onaka, attended Sherman TWSHP Rural School, and completed his education at Hoven High School, Class of 1963. He then began farming and also ran a trencher for Dutt Well Works.
Larry married Nancy Dutt on Nov. 10, 1967 at Tolstoy. They first settled in Tolstoy where Larry continued farming and trenching. Upon Larry’s parents moving off the farm in 1970, he and Nancy relocated to the farm. This is where Larry raised his family, ran a dairy operation, and farmed for the rest of his life. He milked for 44 years and was especially proud to have the longest standing dairy herd in Faulk County.
Beyond family and farming, faith defined Larry’s life.  He was an active member of Tolstoy United Methodist Church.  Larry had a heart for planting seeds of faith in people’s lives and showed that by putting extra emphasis on the youth, teaching Sunday School and UM Men.  He never hesitated to witness to the importance of a church community in someone’s life. Larry also loved to sing and was a part of several quartets and choirs. He served on the Sherman Township Board, was president of the Land O’ Lakes Dairy Board, was a 4-H leader, and also served on several Edmunds Co. 4-H committees.
Larry thoroughly enjoyed restoring old machinery and vehicles, accumulating quite a collection throughout the years. His love of family also led to a passion for researching family history and genealogy. Above all, Larry loved people.  To him, there were no strangers—just friends he hadn’t met or visited with yet.  His legacy will live on through the many lives he blessed, whether it was for a moment or for a lifetime.
Larry is survived by his wife Nancy, three sons; Douglas (Deborah) Trefz of Onaka, Daniel (Nicole) Trefz of Bowdle, and Steven (Rebecca) Trefz of Brandon; one daughter, Lynn (Jerry) Johnson of Miller; three brothers, Harlin (Noreen) Trefz of Jackson, TN, Don (Brenda) Trefz of Chancellor, and Jerry Trefz of Aberdeen; Three sisters, Marge (Ron) Holland and Janet (Mark) Grasse of Aberdeen, and Jean (Jeff) Schlepp of Sioux Falls; and 13 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father on March 21, 1996, his mother on July 8, 1994, and one infant brother (Ronald).
Please visit www.MillerLienFH.com to leave an online condolence or to view the video tribute.

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