- Date Of Birth: March 24, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 8, 2016
- State: Idaho
Larry Grant Wiklund passed away on June 8, 2016 of natural causes. Larry was born March 24, 1937 in Emmett, ldaho to Karl and Gladys Wiklund, the last of 5 children. He graduated valedictorian from Emmett High School in 1955. He attended the College of Idaho then went to work for IBM. In 1959 he met and married Donna Gardner of Boise. Larry joined the Air Force and after serving 4 years returned to work for IBM in Idaho Falls. Larry and Donna had two daughters while in Idaho Falls; Natalie and Valerie. In 1969 they returned to the Treasure Valley where Larry continued to work for IBM as an office products repair technician, a career he enjoyed until his retirement in 1998.
Throughout his life Larry was a “fix-it guy” and fine wood worker. He could fix or build anything and his wood working produced fine furniture and toys that are enjoyed by family and friends. He was a fierce pinochle player and taught both his daughters to play cribbage. He also passed on his love of westerns and science fiction.
Larry was my daddy, the best daddy. From science projects to math problems and on to cars; rebuilds and repairs, hot rods and racing. Then houses; custom built-ins, more repairs and countless hours working on an old house. Treasured gifts from his hands and heart. Precious time spent in the shop and garage teaching me tools and skills. He was always there and ready to work. He was a hard worker and there was nothing that time, effort, parts, and ingenuity could not accomplish. He was a collector of all things that might someday be useful, and this he also passed on to me. And homemade ice cream, taking turns on the freezer crank on a hot summer afternoon. Larry was these things and more. And always, he was our daddy.
Larry extended his wood working skills and time to helping Valerie with her hobby of riding jumping horses. Both he and Donna spent many hours and weekends at arenas and horse shows. All of this was after he built a barn and pens for the chickens, geese, goats and other horses they raised.
Larry was loved and will be missed.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Ashley Manor at Highmont for their care and compassion and the two therapy dogs Bess and Rex.
IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY
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