Lawrence "Larry" Bertrand Ludwig

Age 99 of Monticello

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minnesota. Larry was born on May 22, 1925 at home on the farm in Wanda, Minnesota to parents Peter J. and Ellen (Dooner) Ludwig. In 1931, he started his learning at the “Little Red Brick School” in Wanda. At the age of 9, his family moved to a farm in Revere, Minnesota, where he attended Country School District 57, a one room school that he attended through 8th grade. In 1939, they moved to Franklin, Minnesota where he began his high school years and graduated in 1943 from a very large two story school. After graduating, he worked at the Franklin Drug Store and Franklin Tribune as a linotypist. He was charged with writing the “In Our Town” column. He was a very gifted writer and author who wrote many stories over the years. After a year at the paper, he moved to Minneapolis where he began working for Honeywell. This was short-lived as the soldiers were returning to their jobs from World War II. Larry was laid off after 2 weeks. This continued for the next 10 years until he found his dream job at the elegant Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis. Many famous people and movie stars stayed there. He met President John F. Kennedy, and Olivia de Havilland (who played Melanie in Gone with the Wind) and met many more stars. In 1958, he bought his first new car, a yellow Chevrolet Biscayne. Once he got it home and realized how much the new yellow car stood out, he returned it for a black model, so to be a bit more inconspicuous. Larry was a huge Minnesota Gopher football fan. In ’61 and ’62 they played in the Rose Bowl in California. He and his buddies had it all planned to go out to the games both years. He ended up riding the Greyhound Bus by himself both times!

When his father died in 1966, he moved in and became the sole caretaker for his mother. After she was moved to nursing home care, he visited her diligently each day until her passing in 1989.  He was a dedicated and devoted son. He retired in 1992, and 5 years later moved to the Cedar Crest Apartments in Monticello where he lived for the next 27 years. In 2024, at the age of 99, he moved to St. Benedict’s Community in Monticello due to health issues. In August, he entered into hospice care at Quiet Oaks in St. Augusta until his passing.

Larry LOVED old movies, reading, and had a quiet and humble personality. He liked to sit back and watch and go unnoticed. He’d rather care for others than be cared for. He was dearly loved and will be fondly remembered by all. In his 99 years of life he saw many things, including living though the change of 14 different presidents, some who served more than 1 term.

He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Ellen Ludwig; sisters Evelyn Saelens, Frances Eichten, Janet Estum Hilyar Sanchez, and Phyllis Prahl; and special friends Melvin Gale, Sylvester Kronfuss, and Dorothy Ebbing. Surviving are his niece Patty (Fred) Culp of Monticello, and Mary White of Aitkin; nephew Steve Prahl of Morgan; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024 at Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, 440 Lake Street North, Big Lake, MN. A luncheon will follow. Interment will take place in St. Mathias Cemetery in Wanda, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred in Larry’s name to Quiet Oaks Hospice House, 5537 Galaxy Road, St. Cloud, MN 56301.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel ~ Monticello. 763-295-2918. www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com