Larry Huttel

Larry Huttel died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital Hospice unit, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 8, 2019. He was born on Jan 25, 1936 in Duluth to Fred and Amelia Huttel. They lived in Hermantown where he graduated from high school in 1954. He excelled in sports, including football, basketball, baseball and was a Golden Glove boxer.   After graduation he attended UMD where he played football for the Bulldogs.   He married his high school sweetheart, Barb Ruth, in 1955.They made their home in Hermantown, where they raised their 4 children.

Larry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was always there for his wife, his children and, in later years, for his grandchildren. He loved attending their sporting events and other activities. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Hermantown Hawks and the UMD Bulldogs. Larry was instrumental in starting amateur hockey in Hermantown where he was a rink director for many years. He shared his athletic talents with others, including teaching his children, nieces, nephews and a myriad of others to waterski behind his gold boat.

He joined the 148th division of the Air National Guard in 1954, where he was a Master Sargent before retiring in 1991. He built a house on Island Lake where he and Barb enjoyed 25+ years of wonderful times with family and friends. They hosted many events as their home was where the entire family gathered.  After retirement he and Barb did a lot of traveling throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. They also enjoyed a trip to England.

Larry loved children. He had the distinctive “Huttel” grin and a playful spirit that endeared him to children of all ages. He loved to bounce babies on his knee, playing a German game called Reitka, Reitka and was famous for his whisker rubs and toe holds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Margaret Ruse and Marian Schubitzke, his brothers Fred and Bob Huttel and by his son Duane Huttel. He is survived by his bride of 64+ years, Barb;  his children Kathy (Rick) Johnson of Fredenberg, Connie (Paul) Richardson of Redlands, California, Dave (Terri) Huttel of Fredenberg and Duane’s wife Julie Huttel of Hermantown;  grandchildren Matt (Alyssa) Johnson,  Ben (Erin) Johnson,  Chad (Kaitlin) Huttel,  Laura (Zachary) Raney and  Grant (Alyssa) Huttel  and great grandchildren Hallie, Olivia, Avery, Oscar, Jane, Harper, Baby Huttel on the way and many special nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held Saturday, December 14th at Grace Lutheran Church 5454 Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown with visitation starting at 11:00 am, and the service at 12:00 p.m. If so desired and in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Luke’s Foundation 1000 E. 1st. St. # 102 Duluth, MN 55805 or the United Way of Duluth. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St, Duluth (218) 727-3555.