Larry Meade, Sr., age 81, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Lawrence Marcellus Meade was born on July 4, 1943, to Michael "Bud" and Bertha (Gilbertson) Meade in Jamestown, North Dakota, and grew up in Medina, ND. He was very close to and loved his brothers. They had many stories where you sometimes wondered how they survived childhood, but they all had a love of life and lived life to the fullest. Larry dedicated most of his career working as a lineman, which included working for Donovan's in Glenwood, MN, and for Northern States Power Company (NSP), now known as Xcel Energy, in Glenwood, MN. In 1984, he became a district representative for NSP in Morgan, MN, where he took care of the power for small towns in the area. In 1990, he moved to Mayville, ND, to be the district representative for NSP, taking care of the small towns in that area. Larry was remarkably committed to his profession, and he retired from NSP/Xcel Energy in 2001 and moved to Sioux Falls, SD. He worked part-time at Missouri River Electric, where he worked until fully retiring a few years later.

Throughout his life, Larry embraced fatherhood with joy, first to his three sons, Lawrence Jr., James, and John. In a beautiful chapter of his life, he married Joan A. (Mayer) Lagge on September 27, 1975, in Lead, South Dakota. This union brought a blended family into his life, and he took great pride in being a father figure to Joan's children, Steven and Michele. Together, they created countless cherished memories as they raised their family. Their journey took them through various cities, including Glenwood, MN, Redwood Falls, MN, and Mayville, ND, before settling in Sioux Falls, SD, to be closer to family.

Larry was a do-it-yourselfer and loved to "tinker" and work in the garage. He could fix almost anything. He had a passion for finding broken things and getting them working again. He could envision things that others could not see and make it work. He also had a love for John Deere tractors and antiques. He had a sense of humor and loved spending time and joking around with his brothers and other family members. When Larry was with his brothers, your face would hurt from all the laughter. There was just something about the Meade boys when they were together, and you could see the joy on his face when he was with them. Anywhere he was at, there was laughter to follow.

Larry enjoyed breakfasting with the Round Table of Knowledge at HyVee with a great group of guys. He also enjoyed visiting and getting together with his Sioux Falls family, which meant a lot to him. He loved and always appreciated the time he was able to spend with all of his family members, whether they lived near or far. He loved and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the time he got to spend with them. They all held a special place in his heart.

Larry leaves behind a loving family that includes his children: Lawrence (Amy) Meade, Jr. of Wisconsin Dells, WI; Jim (Jodi) Meade of Glenwood, MN; Steve (Teresa) Lagge of Elk Point, SD; and Michele (Tony) Kochel of Sun Prairie, WI. He is also survived by grandchildren, Marc (Jessica) Meade, Chaz Meade, Buzz Meade, Jessica Meade, Tyler Lagge, Nacy Dean, John Schwaller, Jr., Ashley (Logan Sanner) Schwaller, Rheanna (Andrew Thompson) Schwaller; great-grandchildren Kalib Schwaller, Kaylee Dean, Braxton Sanner, Tegan Sanner, Keller Meade and Leia Meade; and his brother, Mike and Amy Meade of Lead, SD. Larry was blessed with several in-laws, nieces, and nephews.  His family and friends made his life complete.  Although we can't list everyone, Larry viewed every single family member and friend as a blessing in his life.  He was blessed with many, many beautiful people.

He is deeply missed by all who knew him, especially by his family, who will always carry the memories of his love and guidance. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Michael "Bud" and Bertha Meade; his beloved wife, Joan Meade; his son John Patrick Meade; and his brothers, John Meade and Raymond Meade. He was also a devoted Christian, and with his faith, he knew he would someday be reunited with all of the loved ones who preceded him in death.

A memorial service to honor Larry's remarkable life will be held 10:00 Monday, May 12, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home—Southside Chapel, located at 7400 South Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD. He will be reunited with his wife Joan and son John and laid to rest with them at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Sioux Falls, where his memory will forever be cherished.