Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Larry Polries
Larry was born to Donald and Sheila (Barry) Polries on January 6, 1960, in Carrington, ND. He grew up on a large family farm near Sykeston, ND. Larry played the trumpet and participated in school plays, basketball, track, and other school sports until graduation from Sykeston High School in 1978.
Larry was involved in farming nearly all his life, except for brief ventures in custom combining and coal mining. He returned to North Dakota and married Michelle Richter in 1982. They had four daughters, Ginger, Jessica, Vanessa, and Joselyn, and farmed near Sykeston, later moving to Jamestown.
In 2012, Larry married the love of his life Cessna Waliser on a beach in the Gulf of Mexico. They continued to visit that area every winter and were planning to have a winter home there one day. Larry, Cessna, daughter Rio, and stepdaughter Brooke resided near Jamestown.
In the 1980s, Larry purchased an ultra-light aircraft to repel blackbirds from eating sunflower crops, and his love for flying was born. In 2000, he started an airplane crop-spraying business, which he grew into an operation that served hundreds of farmers annually from the Carrington airport.
Larry enjoyed planting his fields in the spring and watching them grow. He also enjoyed visiting with all his customers when they stopped at the airport. Larry lived life to the fullest, he was an avid skier of the mountains, as well as snowmobiling. He liked going fast, especially in his Red Mach 1 Mustang and his Harleys. Riding a motorcycle was a big part of his life and brought the biggest smile to his face. Fear was not in his vocabulary. He also loved to walk the beaches and collect seashells every year with his family and take in the beautiful sunsets on the Gulf Coast. Sunday boating always made for a good day especially if the fish were biting. Larry will always be remembered for his beautiful smile and his iconic giggle, which will forever be missed.
Larry was a member of the ND Agricultural Aviation Association, he served as chief operating pilot overseeing the training and mentoring of future ag pilots. He was a squadron member of the Civil Air Patrol for several years. Larry and Cessna were awarded the Wells County Soil Conservation Achievement Award recently. Larry also devoted many hours to the James River Figure Skating Club.
Larry is survived by his wife, Cessna, Jamestown; children, Ginger (Tyler) Doeling, Carrington, Jessica (Brad) Warren, Moorhead, MN, Vanessa (Dakotah) Walker, Fargo, Joselyn Polries, Scottsdale, AZ, Rio Polries, Brooke Graalum, both of Jamestown, Matt Mitzel, Munich; nine grandchildren; his sisters, Linda (Charlie) Donlin, Bismarck, Julie Larson, Olathe, KS, Peggy (Mark) Anderson, Bismarck, Patti (Bruce) Penas, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; brother, Jon (Stephanie) Polries, Sykeston; sister-in-law Kim Polries, Thompson; many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; along with many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, infant Donald Michael and David Polries; grandson, William Polries; and brother-in-law, Lyndon Larson.
His Visitation will be Friday, September 22, 2023 from 2:00PM-7:00PM with family present from 4:00-7:00PM followed by a Rosary Service at 6:45 PM and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.
Larry’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Sykeston, ND.
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We are so saddened to hear of Larry’s loss. Sykeston will always be 1 big family and when we lose someone like Larry the present and past members of this community, friends and family all hurt. He was 1 of the town’s best; a good friend to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Sorry for your tragic loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Met him several years ago good person.
I’m so sorry for everyone that this loss affects. May the good memories always bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
Cessna and family, Our hearts are hurting and we’re in disbelief!! One is in shock when death is so sudden. We can only go to our Father, who can give us comfort and peace for you and your family, so desperately need. Love you all!
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Larry will be missed.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss. When wade and I were with our little group over there I remember Larry very well. Just this summer I was watching old videos and came across Larry portraying fr evans at his farewell. I recorded it all and laughed through all of his skit. I pray you have many photos and videos and memories you will always hold dear. Some time I’ll try to get that video to your family. It’s def a treasure. May God wrap His arms around each and every one of you and hold you close. May He send friends and comfort through others who embrace you with His love and may He give you the strength to get through this and the days ahead. My prayers are with all of you
So sorry for your Tragic loss WE had some fun memories
Such a tragic and unexpected loss. Larry has reunited with his heavenly family but left hearts heavy on earth. May you all feel comfort knowing he was loved by many and his loss has saddened all who knew him. God Bless.🙏🏼🙏🏼
So sorry for your loss. I was a neighbor with this family growing up. I also did babysitting for this family. Hugs and prayers to all of you.
I grew up in sykeston and have known Larry since I was just a little boy. Larry always reminded be me of being that little blonde haired boy playing the nintendo as he would call it. I even remember as I got older he tried talking me in to getting into flying. Was just a handful of years ago we sat down for lunch and he wanted me to come work for him full time. That didn’t come to anything, but I do have many memories of Larry growing up. No matter where I saw him he always took the time to chat for a bit regardless of how busy he was. I remember hauling some sunflowers for him to Grandin. I was of course up there walking them down trying to get as much on as I could. Larry was on the ground flipping the conveyor on and off. I said Larry stop!! He goes Josh you can fit another 1000 lbs on there! 😂😂 I said Larry I can’t get anymore in the corners. He started laughing with his little giggle. Oh man gonna miss him. Fly high my friend!
To Cessna and the Polries Family- our sincere condolences to you from all your neighbors in Jamestown. While some are traveling or away from home, word has gotten out and we all share in your grief. God’s blessings to You and Your family.
We are so heartbroken for all of you 💔 loved Larry so much! To me, Jodee, he was more like a brother & great friend to me than a cousin. You are all in our thoughts & prayers – asking God to hold you in the Palm of His Hands & give you all that He knows you need right now to get through this sorrow, today & in the days, weeks, months (& forever!) ahead🙏 love to all of you❤️ He will be so missed✈️
My deepest condolences to the family. I pray for peace for each of you.
To Larry’s entire family, I don’t share the recent memories that many people have shared. Rather mine are back some 50+ years ago when Larry was my classmate, fellow bus mate and the neighbor boy who lived on the farm with lots of cows. What apparently hasn’t changed over all those years is something I remember distinctly-Larry’s gentle soul, his kind disposition to all, and his mile-wide smile. (Plus some of the best 1978 rockin’ hair ever!)…Please accept my condolences and know that Larry has left his impression on many people through the years.
So sorry for your loss. My brother worked for Larry on and off for years and never had a bad thing to say about him.
I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I am Larry’s cousin. I live in Ohio. Several years ago Larry helped me out when I was traveling to North Dakota for our uncle’s funeral. After missing an important flight connection due to mechanical problems and flight delays, I was rerouted to Jamestown. Fortunately for me Larry was able to pick me up and drive me to Sykeston in time for the funeral. He was a blessing to me. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I am writing this for my mom, LouAnn Huss. She wanted to tell the Polries family how sad she is to hear about Larry, and to let you all know she is thinking of you.
Cessna, My heart and prayers are with you and your whole family!! May God give you comfort and peace in this devastating time of loss! 🙏❤️ Love and Hugs to you all!!
Larry was a man of many talents; we played many really competitive games of racquet ball in Carrington and I got to know what a great and friendly person he was. I am so sorry for your loss, he will be missed greatly by many.
Sending our condolences to all the Polries family. We will definitely miss seeing Larry flying when we visit again.
Hugs and prayers to the family of Larry 🙏. he will always be remembered for being such a kind person and helped so many farmers with their crops. My brother always spoke so highly of him.
Sending my sincere condolences to all of Larry’s family. Such a tragic and sad loss for all the family and friends that loved him. Gone way too soon but never forgotten. I’m sure he and my brother Dave will have lots of farming stories to talk about. Love and prayers to all of you!🙏🏻❤️
BiBi and I both send our sincere, heartfelt condolences. May God‘s hand be in your midst at this time, embracing the hurting and grieving family and friends, as we seek your presence Lord.
Well Larry, hope your walk with God is always blessed, thanks Bryon Hallwachs
We’re so saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. I’m sure so many more people than are noted here will miss him, too. Now he flies with the angels.