Larry H. Echtenkamp, 89, of Wayne, died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 at the Wakefield Health Care Center.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Wakefield. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Memorials may be directed to Larry's family for later designation.
Larry Herman Echtenkamp was born Oct. 17, 1936 in Wayne to Herman and Mary (Knecht) Echtenkamp. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Wakefield. Larry attended Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from Wayne Prep School in 1954.
Following graduation, Larry enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1961.During his military service, he was stationed in Arkansas, Maryland, and Newfoundland.
On Aug. 7, 1959 Larry married the love of his life, Judith Fay Korth, in Sioux City, Iowa. After residing in Sioux City for nine months, the couple began their farming journey north of Wayne before moving to the family home place in 1969, where they continued to reside and build a lifetime of memories together.
Larry had a deep passion for farming and livestock. He enjoyed dancing at King's Ballroom and spending time playing cards with friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed vacations with his family going to the western states, especially going to the Black Hills.
After retiring from farming, Larry continued working at Bomgaars in Wayne from 1992 until his retirement in 2012. He was a faithful and active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving for many years as a lead usher and as president of Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL).
Grateful for having shared his life are his beloved wife of 67 years, Judy; his children and grandchildren: Kirk and children Paige, Kash, and Pieper and Paige’s family — Tyson Evenson and their children, Kadee, Konrad, and Turner; Kevin (Stephanie) and their children, Bailey and Whitney; Kelley (fiancée Kris), and Kelley’s children Megan and William; and Keila (Doug) Olson and their children Kaleb, Kolby, and Kalin; his sister, Faye (Don) Koch of Sioux City, Iowa; sister-in-law, Mylet Nicholson of Wakefield; and nieces, Cindy Haley and Kim Larson.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mary Echtenkamp, and his niece, Sue (Koch) Jensen.
Larry will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his love of farming and livestock, his faith, and the friendships he cultivated throughout his life. His warm personality, strong work ethic, and love for family and community touched the lives of many.
