Lawrence William 'Larry' Erhart, age 73, of Lemmon, SD, passed away October, 31, 2011, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center in Custer.

Lawrence proudly served his Country in the United States Navy from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957 as an Electronic Technician on board the USS Hermann. His ship represented the United States at Grace Kelly's wedding in Monaco.

Lawrence attended schools in Glen Ullin, ND and at the age of 11, moved to Jamestown, ND, where he attended St. John's Academy.

Larry married Shirley Bauer on November 27th, 1958 at Jamestown, N.D.

He was an accomplished, self-taught lead guitar and accordion player who loved country western music. He and his brother, Herman, had a band, "The String Dusters," in Billings, MT. He took great joy in having jam sessions with his brothers and nephews.

Larry was a cement saw operator when the Minot Air Force Base was being built. He drove truck for Northern Pacific Transport out of Billings. While living in Billings, Larry coached minor league baseball for two years. He also worked at Great Western Sugar Factory in Billings as a maintenance person of the electronic Ion recorders for four years. In 1971, Larry became ill with schizophrenia and the family moved to Lemmon where he worked as a TV/appliance repairman, mail courier for the US Postal Service, and in later years opened his own electronic repair shop, working at that until entering the Custer Regional Senior Care Center in 2006. In 2000, Larry became paraplegic and continued to work in his shop as he was able. He never gave in to his disabilities because it was important to him to continue trying to take care of his family.

Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley of Lemmon; sons, William and Jerome both of Lemmon; daughters, Nancy Neuheisel and Rod Cain of Fargo, ND; Sheri (Scott) Rokusek of Watertown, SD; six grandchildren, William Neuheisel of Kocaeli, Turkey; Melissa (Aaron) Kindelspire of Page, ND; Julie Anne (Matt) Zimny, Bismarck, ND; Robert Neuheisel, Fargo, ND; Amy Neuheisel, Fargo, ND; Allison Rokusek of Watertown, SD; six great grandchildren; brothers, Leo (Irene) of Belle Fourche; Myrin of Rural Valley, PA; Bernard of California; sister, Annabelle Stucky of Belgrade, MT; sister-in-law, Carolyne Bauer of Brownesville, TX; brother-in-law, Larry (Chris) Bauer of LaMar, CO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann (Steckler) and Florian Erhart; brothers, Martin, Ed, Rudy, and Herman Erhart; sisters, Catherine Dietz, Marie Rober, Grace Drews, and Loretta Herold; granddaughter, MacKenzie Ann Rokusek; and brother in law, Donald Bauer.

Committal services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2011, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD, with Fr. Ron Garry officiating.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Lawrence's name and may be sent to the family.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, SD. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleychapels.com.