Larry John Van Epps

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(May 31, 1949 - Jan. 9, 2013)

Larry John Van Epps of Powell died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013.

Larry was born May 31, 1949 in Mahnomen, Minn., to Louis and Alice Van Epps. He was first generation Dutch as both his parents came over to the United States from Holland in their early years.

He was preceded in death by his brother Louis (Sonny) Van Epps, Jr., both his parents, also his nephews Micheal Van Epps, Jake Larson and Tim Larson.

He leaves behind three siblings: Mary Ann (Elmer) Pulscher, DeLores Larson and Jim (Marguerite) Van Epps. He also leaves behind his loving wife, Madeleine, and three children: Stephanie (Jake) Johnson, Heidi (Adeeb) Khan and Chase (Angela) Van Epps and three precious grandchildren: Maizy, Berkeley and Emery Johnson.

Larry was an avid outdoorsman and conversationalist. As a Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever supporter, Larry spent the most time bird hunting but also enjoyed big game hunting. Hunting brought him much joy for he was able to be outdoors in God’s creation. 

Another great pastime he loved was fishing. Larry was mostly a walleye man, and he loved being out for hours at a time whether it was the middle of summer blazing hot in a boat, or the dead of winter freezing cold on the ice. His mother-in-law diagnosed him with housatosis (allergy to being inside).

He graduated from Bethel College in 1971 with a double major in political science and history. He returned to school at the College of St. Thomas receiving a master’s in the art of teaching. He then moved to Riverton, where he taught at Shoshoni High School for six years and also coached basketball, track and football.  

Feeling the need for something greater, he returned to Minnesota after marrying Madeleine Kupfer in 1979. He received a master’s degree from St. Cloud in guidance and counseling. After working in the Canby, Minn., school system for four years, the family wanted to return to “God’s Country.”

Larry started as a guidance counselor at Powell High School in 1984 where he remained until he retired in 2008 after working one year at the middle school.

Larry had a great love for people. His wish was to help all students who struggled and those who performed well become successful adults. After retiring from Powell, still feeling the need to help students, he worked part time in Basin and Burlington in counseling for another two years.

His disease, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), started to take over his life in his late 50s and finally took his whole life on Jan. 9, 2013, at the age 63. Due to Larry’s disease, organ donation was accepted by the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center and Science Care programs. His family hopes that these donations will help lead to a better understanding of FTD and diseases like it.

Larry will be remembered by his loved ones as a man of God who greatly loved people. He will be missed by the many people he helped during his years of service both for the schools and the church.

A memorial service for Larry will take place Saturday, Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Powell. The service is open for all who would like to attend.

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