Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Raymond Wellman (82) of Sioux Falls, SD, died Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Ava's House.

Lawrence "Larry" was born on July 9,1944, in Columbus, Ohio, to Fred and Mary Wellman and grew up in the Appalachian town of Louisa, Kentucky. As a child he loved the outdoors and was an avid reader, a love he carried into adulthood. The driver of the local book mobile once told his mother that Larry had probably read every book in the vehicle.  As an adult he enjoyed gardening, hiking, researching the next place to travel to and was a devoted fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats!

On August 11th, 1990, he married his "amazing" wife, Grace. Larry and Grace travelled to many countries over the years, sharing adventures, experiencing cultures, and making long-lasting friendships along the way. When they were not traveling their passion for volunteering and fundraising kept them busy, believing that both were important to help grow their community.

Dr. Wellman earned his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine before completing pediatric training and a fellowship in Neonatology at the University of Wisconsin. He began his academic career at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children's Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, before joining the University of South Dakota in 1978, where he would leave an enduring legacy that spanned nearly five decades.

Dr. Lawrence R. Wellman devoted his life to the care of children and the education of future physicians. For 48 years of  distinguished service, he served the infants and families of South Dakota as a compassionate neonatologist at Sanford Health and as a dedicated educator and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.

Throughout his career, Dr. Wellman was recognized as an outstanding clinician whose expertise and calm presence brought comfort and hope to families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. He was board-certified in both Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and was a respected leader in perinatal care at the local, regional, and national levels. Countless newborns benefited from his exceptional care in the neonatal intensive care unit, where his commitment to the smallest and most vulnerable patients helped change the lives of children and families across the region.

Just as significant as his clinical accomplishments was his passion for teaching. Dr. Wellman was a gifted educator whose influence extended across generations of medical students, residents, junior colleagues, and nurse practitioners. During his long tenure at USD, he served as Director of the Junior Pediatrics Clerkship, Director of the Senior Pediatric Elective in Neonatology, lecturer for newborn nursery rotations, and educator in numerous residency and continuing medical education programs.

Students remember Dr. Wellman for his patient instruction, thoughtful mentorship, and commitment to active learning. He taught pediatric history and physical examination skills, led case-based discussions, facilitated small-group learning sessions, supervised neonatal and pediatric clinical experiences, and provided countless hours of bedside teaching. Even after his retirement from clinical practice in 2013, he continued to teach newborn examinations and foundational pediatric knowledge to medical students, reflecting his lifelong dedication to education.

Dr. Wellman was equally celebrated as a mentor. In 2014, he was honored with the Department of Pediatrics Outstanding Mentor Award. Colleagues described him as accessible, wise, supportive, and generous with his time. His mentees valued his ability to listen, offer thoughtful guidance, and provide encouragement during important career and life decisions. One faculty member wrote that Dr. Wellman served as an "unbiased sounding board and a voice of reason," and that his mentorship continued long after his clinical retirement because of his unwavering commitment to helping others succeed.

Beyond his clinical and educational roles, Dr. Wellman provided leadership in multiple professional organizations throughout his career. He served as president of the South Dakota Perinatal Association and the Great Plains Organization for Perinatal Care and contributed to numerous university, hospital, and professional committees. His scholarship, presentations, and outreach efforts helped improve neonatal and perinatal care throughout the region.

Dr. Larry Wellman leaves behind a remarkable legacy of compassionate care, educational excellence, and selfless service. While thousands of patients benefited directly from his expertise, his greatest impact may be seen in the generations of physicians, residents, students, and healthcare professionals he taught and mentored. His kindness, wisdom, humility, and dedication to others will continue to influence pediatric care in South Dakota for years to come. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, colleagues, learners, patients, and families, as well as anyone else who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dr. Wellman is survived by his wife, Grace, a brother, Leonard Wellman, brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, goddaughters, and godsons and preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Wellman and a sister, Frieda Wellman.

The family would like to thank the physicians, nursing staff, caregivers, and hospice team who offered kindness, support, and compassionate care to Dr. Larry Wellman.

The funeral will be held 10:30 am Friday, August 7, 2026 at Miller Funeral Home Southside, 7400 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108,with a luncheon to follow. The luncheon will include family greet and sharing time.

The funeral service for Dr. Wellman will be livestreamed to Miller Funeral Home's YouTube page. To watch the service live, please click on the following link: Dr. Lawrence Wellman Funeral Service LIVESTREAM LINK

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the USD Sanford School of Medicine Dr. Lawrence and Grace Wellman Scholarship Endowment or Ava's House:

About Ava's House

Ava's House was built with the patient and their family in mind. The whole family can find comfort and compassion in private suites for adults and children where families are encouraged to make their suite their own during their stay; decorations and mementos that transform it into a home. Families can spend the night at no cost with additional sleeping areas.

Ava's House offers comfort-first care with an emphasis on dignity and compassion for terminally ill patients. Focusing on palliative medicine to relieve pain and maximize patient comfort. Intentional services include 24-hour room service, counseling, music enrichment, pet therapy, remembrance items for the family, and spiritual and social support.

USD Sanford School of Medicine

Dr. Lawrence and Grace Wellman Scholarship Endowment https://www.usdalumni.com/dr-wellman-scholarship-endowment