Larry Dean Sweeter, 77, formerly of Canton, passed away on August 12, 2022 in Lawrence, Kan. after a brief battle with cancer.

Larry was born July 14, 1945 to Gerhard and Esther Sweeter. He graduated from Canton High School and South Dakota State University in Brookings. He married Dorothy Jensen in 1967 in Sioux Falls. In 1968, Larry enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

After returning from his service with the Navy, Larry started his career in the meat packing industry with John Morrell & Co. and in 2012 retired as International Pork Product Manager at JBS. His 47-year career took him to Sioux Falls; Fergus Falls, Minn .; Memphis, Tenn .; Estherville, Sioux City and Marshalltown, Iowa.

Larry loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and time with family. He always enjoyed a good game of cards or a family board game. He could recite poems from grade school, was an amazing storyteller and loved a good joke – especially a prank. He enjoyed watching and playing sports – participating in adult league softball and coaching youth softball for several years.

Larry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy; sisters, Carole Curtis (Jerry Johnston) and Linda (Ron Aten); daughter, Lori French (Todd Ummach) and Julie (Paul) Popiel; five grandchildren, Stephanie Nitzschke (Steven), Kelsey Derochie (Cory), Cole French, Nick and Keith Popiel; four great-grandchildren, Owen, Faye, Hayes, and Asher; and a host of relatives.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m. at Canton Lutheran Church in Canton. A brief visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Canton Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Lincoln County 4-H for the Gerhard and Larry Sweeter Beef and Swine Livestock Loan program to assist 4-H members in purchasing show livestock: P.O. Box 655, Lennox, South Dakota.

Lawrence Chapel Oaks Cremation and Funeral Service http://www.chapeloaksne.com and Anderson Funeral Home, Canton are assisting the family with arrangements.