Laurence Suhsen Obituary

Laurence Dean Suhsen (Larry), 91, passed away May 4th, 2025 at home with his wife by his side after a brief but merciless cancer diagnosis.

"Larry," "Dad," "Grandpa" lived a long and full life. Born on April 4, 1934, in Streator, Illinois, to Gustav and Annabelle (Cox) Suhsen, Larry was the oldest of four boys: Larry, Leon, Don, and Dave. He grew up in Illinois and worked as a soda jerk in his early years.

While his parents, Gus and Belle, eventually moved to northern Wisconsin to dairy farm, Larry stayed behind to finish high school in Illinois.

After graduating, Larry, along with is brother Leon, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Larry served from 1953-1957 as a sonar man in the Korean War aboard two different minesweepers: the USS Defense and the USS Prime.

Following his military service, Larry began a 39-year career with the Soo Line Railroad. He took great pride in his work, and his home office displayed an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia.

Larry met the love of his life, Twylah (Dietrich), at a dance hall in Radisson, Wisconsin. It was love at first sight and they married on January 9th, 1960.

Larry and Twylah raised their four children-Kym, Kami, Kandi, and Ky-while moving between Wisconsin, Illinois, and eventually settling in Minnesota. In 1969, Larry was assigned his own territory as a railroad signal maintainer, which brought the family to Delano, MN.

In Delano, along the banks of the Crow River, Larry quite literally built their house with a hand saw. His carpentry skills were just one of many: he was a railroader, mechanic, electrician, car restorer, and collector (though famously not a plumber, as he often reminded everyone).

But perhaps his greatest legacy was that of a poet. Larry wrote poems for each of his children and grandchildren-and sometimes friends and extended family. He took great joy in his work and carefully kept personal copies of each poem. His writing extended beyond poetry as well; he regularly submitted articles to various publications.

In their later years, Larry and Twylah enjoyed weekends at classic car shows. Larry almost singlehandedly restored a number of vintage vehicles, including a 1951 Lincoln, a 1951 Mercury Coupe, a 1951 Mercury Convertible, a 1953 Mercury Convertible, and his favorite-and final-project: a 1951 Ford Crestliner. His goal was always to restore each car as close to original as possible.

Larry and Twylah were longtime members of the Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA), the Wright County Car Club, and the Early Ford V8 Club. Larry especially loved road trips in his classic cars.

Particularly in retirement, Larry was an avid reader. Visitors to the Suhsen home could often find him in one of four places: the shop, the barn, the porch, or his chair-reading. As his daughter fondly said, he was a "blue-collar intellectual"-a man with the hands of a true tradesman and the mind of a scholar.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Twylah; his four children: Kym Tabery (Tony), Kami Dahl (John), Kandi Suhsen (Terry), and Ky Suhsen; his grandchildren: DeAnn Fink, Jason Tabery, Delissa Madden (Mike), and Jade and Mitchell Suhsen; and his great-grandchildren: Owen and Weston Fink, and Gus and Annabelle Madden.

Also surviving are his brothers and sisters-in-law: Don and Carol Suhsen, Shirley Suhsen, and Dave Suhsen; nieces, nephews and many more extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Annabelle Suhsen; his brother Leon (Shirley); his sister-in-law Mary Suhsen (Dave); and nieces Nancy and Christie Suhsen.

Our hearts hurt for our loss, but we will treasure the memories and the many lessons we've learned from him. Larry left this earth as a legend.

Please join us for a celebration of his life at the Buffalo American Legion on June 12th from 5-8 pm. Honor Guard and Chaplain Service begins at 6:00 PM.