Larry Ingalls

Larry Ingalls, 85, of Webster, passed away Wednesday August 17, 2022 at Bethesda Home in Webster.

Funeral services honoring the life of Larry and his daughter, Kathy will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday August 27, 2022 at Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol.  Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday August 26, 2022, at the funeral home.

Larry F. Ingalls, 85, of Webster died August 17, 2022 at Bethesda Nursing Home, Webster. Funeral services were August 27, at Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol with Pastor Tom Ingalls and Pastor Lynn Lutz officiating. Burial was in Webster Cemetery. Lawrence “Larry” Frank Ingalls was born January 30, 1937, at Murdo to Morris and Mary Jane (Coye) Ingalls. He grew up in White River where his parents owned and operated the Mellette County News. He was captain of the 1955 State B boys basketball championship team and also excelled in track where he was a state champion pole vaulter. He also played football and played drums in band. He was a member of the White River Methodist Church where he accepted Christ as a youth. Following graduation from White River High School in 1955, he attended South Dakota State College, Brookings, on a track scholarship, breaking the school pole vault record. He played drums in the Jackrabbit marching band, ROTC band and collegiate dance band while earning a degree in printing management and journalism in 1959. Larry met Janet “Jan” Haisch of Canton at the Black Hills Methodist Bible Camp the summer of 1959. They were married September 4, 1960 in Canton at the Methodist Church. They lived in Mitchell where Larry worked at the Mitchell Daily Republic. In 1961 they moved to Valentine, NE, where he was associate editor of the weekly newspaper. They then moved to Volga, in 1963 where he managed the Volga Tribune for the SDSC printing and journalism department. The couple was blessed with four children. He found so much joy in following their activities and spending time with them and his grandchildren. He became editor of the Reporter & Farmer at Webster in 1965, selling it to John and LeAnn Suhr in1998. He was elected president of the SD Newspaper Association the spring of 1977. The R&F earned a number of awards over the years in the SDNA contest and won first and second places in the Economic Development contests sponsored by Consulting Engineers Council of SD and was winner of the first national contest in 1996. Larry was recognized in 1998 by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at SDSU for outstanding journalism in SD; selected a Lusk Fellow by SDSU in 1993 and was inducted into the SD Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2000 (his father having been inducted posthumously in 1978). Among other honors were Business of the Year by Webster Chamber of Commerce; Outstanding Contributions and Support of Webster High School and Community; Honorary Chapter Farmer of FFA; Meritorious Service Award from Day County 4-H; Press Award from SD Wrestling Coaches Association. The most enjoyable time of his career was covering students’ activities. Larry was instrumental in initiating an effort via donations from alumni to create White River High School scholarships in memory of his coach Fred Littau and teacher Laura Patnoe Kirsch; having the old gymnasium named for Littau; spearheading WRHS state activity awards highway signs and giving SDSU printing/journalism scholarships in memory of his parents. Larry was a member of the United Methodist Church, Webster, where he served on the board and later joined the Westside Wesleyan Church, Bristol, where he was also a board member. He enjoyed hunting, watching and participating in sports and spending time with his family. He enjoyed going to the State B boys basketball tournaments, especially the 50th and 60th anniversaries of White River’s 1955 championship, and when the Tiger teams qualified. In retirement, he and Jan spent many years wintering in ViewPoint Park, Mesa, AZ where he was on the church board, golfed and was active in Bible study, men’s prayer group and senior basketball. He especially enjoyed time with brother Tom (Judi) and family and old and new friends. Larry is survived by his wife, Jan, Webster; two daughters, Pam (Gary) Bruns, Montevideo, MN; Kim (Luke) Holzwarth, Hazel; one son David (Brenda) Ingalls, Watertown; 11grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren; brother Tom (Judi) Ingalls; brother-in-law Charles (Sue) Haisch and sisters-in-law Kay Haisch and Phyllis Haisch; foster daughter Julie (David) Kouba; foster son-in-law Mick Chapman; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Dick and Don Haisch; foster daughter Donna Chapman. Blessed be his memory.