Larry Justesen

With a heavy heart we say goodbye to Larry Justesen, a wonderful husband, dad, friend, son, brother and papa. We find great comfort in knowing that Larry has gone to be with Jesus. Larry passed from complications related to cancer on Sept. 30, 2023, in Laramie, Wyoming.

At Larry’s direction, there will be no funeral. Instead, he asked that friends and family gather to celebrate his life and each other. There will be two celebrations of life. The first will be held in Jerome, Idaho, on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge located at the Jerome 93 Golf Course. The second will be held in Rawlins, Wyoming, on Nov. 11. Specific details will be communicated prior to this event.

Larry was born on July 19, 1947, in Albion, Idaho, to Keith and Bonnie Justesen. Larry loved helping his parents with whatever they needed throughout his life and was a mama’s boy at heart. Larry went to school in Carey, Idaho, where he would meet and eventually marry his sweetheart, Judy Peterson. Larry liked to tell the story of when as a sixth grader he saw Judy cheerleading, and told his buddies, “I’m going to marry that girl someday.” Well, he was right, as Larry and Judy had just celebrated 49 years of marriage. Many of Larry’s friends and family have shared how they have watched him over the years as a husband, and how that has inspired them to be better husbands themselves. He was a man with many friends, and you would never hear him say a negative word about anyone.

In March of 1980, Larry traveled to Rawlins, Wyoming to accept the position of Carbon County Weed and Pest Supervisor. This would be a milestone moment for Larry and his family, which included his wife Judy and daughters. Larry and Judy would call Carbon County home for the next 43 years. Larry frequently talked about how much he loved working for the county’s Board of Directors and working with his crew, the farmers, ranchers, and the homeowners he served. Over his career Larry received county, state and even national recognition for his dedication to his profession. He was a proud member of the Rawlins Lions Club where he enjoyed spending time with friends and volunteering. He was also a member of the Elks.

Larry loved golf, hunting, racquetball, cards, spinning and the American flag. He especially loved dancing with Judy, whether it be in the kitchen, a barn or a big dance floor. He enjoyed sharing stories about his golf and travel adventures including trips to Ireland, Hawaii, Lake Havasu and watching his grandsons play baseball throughout the U.S. A few of his favorite courses would include Rochelle Ranch in Rawlins, the Star Valley Ranch Resort in Star Valley, Wyoming, and the annual family beach trip to stay and golf at Manzanita Links on the Oregon coast.

Larry is survived by his wife Judy, his children, Todd, Tarci, Bambi and Lisa; his grandchildren, Caleb, Jordan, Chayna, Seaver, Brady and Traxton and great-grandchildren, Charlie, Evelyn, Dax, Rhett, Weston, and Walker; as well as his sisters Mary and Trudy. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Bonnie Justesen, and grandson Cody.