Larry E. Christian

Larry E. Christian, 75, of Kearney, peacefully passed away July 27, 2026 at his home with his daughter and son-in-law by his side. Private graveside services will be held at Kearney Cemetery. Viewing will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, August 7, 2026, at the funeral home with the family present from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, August 9, 2026 in the Sertoma Shelter at Harmon Park. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to the family for placement of bench in honor of Larry at Harmon Park. Larry was born December 26, 1950 in Arnold, Nebraska to Samuel and Virginia (Birth) Christian, and lived in a sod house in the Sandhills the first months of his life. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1969 and then attended Kearney State College as well as Grace Bible College. Larry lived much of his life in Kearney, working at Morris Press as a Manager and doing carpentry. The Sandhills of Nebraska is where he worked many summers as a teenager and made many memories with his father’s family there. He also spent a year of his life as a young man working at Yellowstone, where he had many adventures. Larry was very proud of his many construction and carpentry accomplishments. He helped his brother build a new house on a mountain in Montana. He also built a new home for his family near Cottonmill Park in Kearney. His last and most adventurous construction accomplishment included re-constructing and re-finishing his 1890 home, which included raising the house to put in a basement and adding a two-story garage. He also used his talents and perfectionism to create several beautiful pieces of furniture for his family like shelves, Adirondack style chairs, and the most perfect porch swing. Larry was also proud of his daughter and son-in-law, and his three grandchildren, Eloise, Walter, and Izetta, and enjoyed many July 4th weekends with them. He had many simple pleasures in life including woodworking, classic cars, whittling sticks while sitting on his porch swing, working in his yard, “going for a drive” to check on the new construction in Kearney or enjoy a Dairy Queen ice cream cone, and simply watching classic westerns, “This Old House”, or classic sitcoms while sitting in his chair. Larry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kiley and Chris Valentas of Norman, OK; grandchildren, Eloise, Walter, and Izetta Valentas of Norman, OK; sister, Carol Galvin of Falling Waters, WV; sister in law, Sandy Christian of Columbia Falls, MT; friends, Janet Kozak and family of Kearney; the Hunt Bunch of Kearney; Curt and Sue Bjornsen of Kearney; and Al Baker and family of Kearney. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jim Christian, brother-in-law, Don Galvin, and the best golden retriever, Rosy.

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Larry E. Christian

December 26, 1950 - July 27, 2026