Obituary: Lawrence Polries

Lawrence Polries

Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Polries, 63, Jamestown, N.D., died in an accident on September 19, 2023.

Larry's visitation was Friday, September 22, 2023, from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m., with family present from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and a Rosary Service at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, N.D.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, Sykeston, N.D., with Father Terry Dodge officiating. Special Music was by Celebration Singers, Linda Donlin and Jon Polries and Mike Seil and Addison Seil. His burial was at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery, Sykeston, N.D.

Pallbearers were Cody Waliser, Jade Waliser, Dakotah Walker, Brad Warren, Mitch Schulz, Tyler Doeling, Wayne Kamoni, Paul Anderson, Jamie Halverson and William Loose.

Larry was born to Donald and Sheila (Barry) Polries on January 6, 1960, in Carrington, N.D. He grew up on a large family farm near Sykeston, N.D. Larry played the trumpet and participated in school plays, basketball, track, and other school sports until graduation from Sykeston High School in 1978.

Larry was involved in farming nearly all his life, except for brief ventures in custom combining and coal mining. He returned to North Dakota and married Michelle Richter in 1982. They had four daughters, Ginger, Jessica, Vanessa, and Joselyn, and farmed near Sykeston, later moving to Jamestown.

In 2012, Larry married the love of his life, Cessna Waliser, on a beach in the Gulf of Mexico. They continued to visit that area every winter and were planning to have a winter home there one day. Larry, Cessna, daughter Rio, and stepdaughter Brooke resided near Jamestown.

In the 1980s, Larry purchased an ultra-light aircraft to repel blackbirds from eating sunflower crops, and his love for flying was born. In 2000, he started an airplane crop-spraying business, which he grew into an operation that served hundreds of farmers annually from the Carrington airport.

Larry enjoyed planting his fields in the spring and watching them grow. He also enjoyed visiting with all his customers when they stopped at the airport.

Larry lived life to the fullest. He was an avid skier of the mountains, as well as snowmobiling. He liked going fast, especially in his Red Mach 1 Mustang and his Harleys. Riding a motorcycle was a big part of his life and brought the biggest smile to his face. Fear was not in his vocabulary.

He also loved to walk the beaches and collect seashells every year with his family and take in the beautiful sunsets on the Gulf Coast. Sunday boating always made for a good day especially if the fish were biting.

Larry will always be remembered for his beautiful smile and his iconic giggle, which will forever be missed.

Larry was a member of the N.D. Agricultural Aviation Association. He served as chief operating pilot overseeing the training and mentoring of future ag pilots. He was a squadron member of the Civil Air Patrol for several years. Larry and Cessna were awarded the Wells County Soil Conservation Achievement Award recently. Larry also devoted many hours to the James River Figure Skating Club.

Larry is survived by his wife, Cessna, Jamestown; children, Ginger (Tyler) Doeling, Carrington, Jessica (Brad) Warren, Moorhead, Minn., Vanessa (Dakotah) Walker, Fargo, Joselyn Polries, Scottsdale, Ariz., Rio Polries and Brooke Graalum, both of Jamestown, and Matt Mitzel, Munich; nine grandchildren; his sisters, Linda (Charlie) Donlin, Bismarck, Julie Larson, Olathe, Kan., Peggy (Mark) Anderson, Bismarck, and Patti (Bruce) Penas, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; brother, Jon (Stephanie) Polries, Sykeston; sister-in-law, Kim Polries, Thompson, N.D.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families, along with many lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, infant Donald Michael and David Polries; grandson, William Polries; and brother-in-law, Lyndon Larson.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.